Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities
San José & field sites, Costa Rica
Features 
Hands-on Field Research Meets Cultural Immersion during Project in Rural Costa Rican Schools Nov 9, 2011- For three ACM Costa Rica participants interested in public health, working together to research childhood obesity included long days, curious kids, lots of data, and many fond memories.
Finding "That Place of Sweat and Tranquility" in Costa Rica Jun 17, 2011- Daily life with a family on an isolated farm proved to be a remarkable experience for Stuart Pearlman on the fall ACM Costa Rica program. A bit of tabloid fame was fun, too!
Tempting, Astounding, Challenging – Read All About It in the ACM Student Blogs Sep 24, 2010- With words and photos, and in their distinctive voices, Global Ambassadors offer unfiltered views of their off-campus study experiences around the world.
From Sea Turtles to Calypso, Students Get Hands-On Research Experience in Costa Rica Aug 18, 2010- A blend of independent field research and cultural immersion makes ACM's spring program in Costa Rica "amazing" – and possibly life-changing.
Engaging in a Dialogue that Can Both Surprise and Inspire Apr 11, 2010- Students will gather in Chicago on April 16-17 to reflect on their off-campus study experiences at the 2010 Student Symposium on Off-Campus Study.
Portraying the Journey of Life Dec 16, 2009- Encounters with people, cultures, history, and the physical environment are among the experiences chronicled in the prize-winning photos from the 2009-10 ACM Off-Campus Study Photo Contest.
A President Comes to Visit Nov 20, 2009- Students on the ACM Costa Rica Program enjoyed a rare opportunity to meet a former president of Costa Rica when Rodrigo Carazo presented a lecture, engaged in discussion, and posed for photos.
Training the Next Generation of Conservation Stewards Oct 28, 2009- Chris Vaughan has spent the past four decades tirelessly sharing his passion for conservation and biodiversity. Now he is Director of the ACM Costa Rica programs, where he got his start.
And the President Goes on Foot in San José May 28, 2009- As he wraps up five years as Director of the ACM Costa Rica programs, Scott Pentzer reflects on the many charms of Costa Rica and the rewards of spending time with — and learning from — his students.
Leaving Footprints Behind ... Learning Lessons Along the Way Apr 24, 2009- Students shared compelling stories about adventure and discovery, academic and personal growth, and insights gained at the ACM Off-Campus Study Student Symposium.
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I considered a number of study abroad programs before choosing ACM, and what appealed to me about the Costa Rica Field Research program was that it allowed me to pursue independent research at a single site over several months, rather than "touring" many sites for just a few days at a time with larger groups of students, as was typical of many other programs. The educational "pay-off" of this approach, both in terms of insights gained from the many hours spent in the field and in terms of the language skills and cultural experiences gained from living in a small, rural community, was huge. My experience in Costa Rica was a strong influence in my decision to pursue a graduate degree in Conservation Biology, and many of the experiences and contacts I made laid the groundwork for future projects in Costa Rica.
—Mark Myers, Associate Professor and head of Ecosytem Studies Program at Northern Iowa University, Costa Rica, Spring 1995
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