Program Overview
This course, Conserving Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity Utilizing Ecotourism and Other Recreational Strategies, seeks to explore the ties between cultural diversity, biodiversity, and sustainable tourism management in a global context. Through tangible field experiences and exposure to global innovative practices at diverse outdoor recreation, cultural heritage, and biodiversity sites, you will gain new perspectives that can help prepare you for challenges in your career.
During your journey, you will juxtapose and reflect on cultural variances beyond American borders that can transform you through invaluable insights unattainable at a local level. Costa Rica, with its myriad natural resources, outdoor amenities, and tourism attractions, provides the perfect backdrop. Its tropical rainforests, volcanoes, national parks, and commercial recreation sites offer safe avenues for you to contextualize course concepts in real-world settings. Furthermore, you will gain a deeper understanding of sustainability in natural resource management by scrutinizing local policies, interacting with park managers, and observing on-ground practices.
Dates
Program Quicklinks
Eligibility
Housing and Meals
Program Costs
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More Information
How to Apply
Other Useful Links
Any pre-requisite courses are established by the faculty leader or department hosting the course. The following have been listed as pre-requisites for consideration to enroll in this course and travel on the embedded education abroad program:
- This program is open to all majors at Penn State Abington.
- Admission in the course and permission to travel with the group are at the discretion of the faculty leader and/or academic department hosting the course. Academic standing and disciplinary or conduct issues may impact eligibility.
- The education abroad program may involve swimming, kayaking, boating, and/or snorkeling that is part of the official program itinerary or an optional activity during free time. Students must complete a Water Safety Acknowledge of Risk form in order to participate on the program.
- Students should expect long days of walking and hiking for research and/or curricular activities, sometimes in rugged terrain, and in hot, humid weather conditions.
Housing and Meals
During the embedded travel component, housing will consist of accommodations in a hotel/hostel and a dormitory/student residence.
Program Costs
Students pay regular Penn State tuition (either in-state or out-of-state) for the credits associated with the embedded course. Travel costs, lodging, meals, excursions, and other fees are determined by the program budget which is set by the program leader. Please consult the program leader for additional information.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Embedded Programs Scholarship is issued through Penn State Global Education Abroad for students studying on approved Penn State embedded programs. There is no application required to be considered for this scholarship. The Education Abroad scholarship selection team will utilize course rosters submitted by the embedded course leaders and will determine eligible scholarship recipients based on financial need.
Because of the volume of eligible candidates, awards usually go to students with the highest level of financial need as determined by the Office of Student Aid. Among those with the highest need, preference may be given to students with higher cumulative grade point averages and/or to those with no prior Penn State education abroad experience.
For More Information
For more information about this course, please contact the program leader: Katrina Black Reed by emailing kbr5388@psu.edu.
How to Apply
The process for enrolling in an embedded course varies according to the instructor and/or department. The program leader has indicated that in order to enroll in the course and travel component, students must submit an application with the Penn State Abington Office of Global Programs to be considered.
Studying Abroad with a Disability
Many students with disabilities successfully study abroad each year. Please note that other cultures may have different attitudes and available accommodations regarding disabilities. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged in consultation with our office, the Student Disability Resources office, and our partners abroad. To prepare for success, students are strongly encouraged to research the country and program location to consider if and how they will manage their disabilities abroad in advance of selecting a program. Students with disabilities and other diverse backgrounds can begin their research on our Diversity Awareness Abroad page.
