Costa Rica
Society and politics ... ecology and natural resources ... maps ... links

The program
Overview and timeline ... photo album ... orientation ... language study ... selecting a research topic ... conducting research ... social science topics ... natural science topics ... humanities topics

Information
Eligibility ... credit and grades ... academic year program ... program staff ... living arrangements ... costs ... how to apply

Contacts
Campus program advisors ... ACM office

Costa Rica offers a range of research topics

Left: La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles in Cartago, which was the first capital of Costa Rica.

Below: In San Jose, near the ACM center.

Costa Rica is in many ways typical of the countries of Central America. With their neighbors, Costa Ricans share Spanish colonial heritage, an economy traditionally dependent on the export of coffee and bananas, and a close but occasionally troubled relationship with the United States.

Costa Ricans also face many of the same questions confronting small nations throughout Latin America and the developing world, such as defining the role of government in combating poverty, providing education and public services, and conserving biodiversity.

At the same time, Costa Rica's economy is becoming increasingly open to trade in a variety of goods and services, and especially to tourism.

Yet the Costa Rican government has been uniquely accessible to the demands of its citizens -- and even to the questions of foreigners. The “Ticos” (as Costa Ricans like to call themselves) are committed to public education, universal health care, social programs, and democratic government. For over 40 years, ACM students have found open doors, friendly interviews, and unique opportunities to observe up-close the Costa Rican experiment.

Through the program’s professional contacts in Costa Rica, students can pursue research with specialists across the country and across the spectrum of academic disciplines.

The photo album includes pictures of students at their research sites.

Right: A student with members of his host family.

Go to Costa Rica's ecology and natural resources