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Costa Rica
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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
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Contacts
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Overview of the program

Tropical Field Research is a spring semester program for advanced independent work in the natural and social sciences and the humanities.

Students design and conduct research projects under the supervision of prominent researchers and scholars who assist in all aspects of the research process, from proposal writing to field work to final writing and presentation.

Over the past 40 years, many program participants have gone on to professional careers related to their research experience in Costa Rica.

Timeline

Weeks 1-4: Orientation in San José

  • Intensive course in Spanish language and Costa Rican culture
  • Select a research topic, confer with your advisor, write a detailed research proposal and visit the field site

Weeks 5-12: Field research

  • Conduct research, collect data and periodically confer with your advisor

Weeks 13-16: Wrap-up in San José

  • Continue Spanish language course
  • Confer with your advisor and complete the research paper
  • Present research results

Orientation: language and culture

During the four-week orientation in San José, students prepare their research proposals and take an intensive course combining study of the Spanish language and Costa Rican culture.

Spanish language instruction at the ACM center is provided by experienced Costa Rican teachers working under the direction of Eduardo Estevanovich. Instructors rotate among small classes to expose students to several native speakers.Language study continues during the final four weeks of the semester.
Cultural orientation includes lectures and discussions about social conditions in Latin America, cultural stereotypes and the problems of living abroad. Field trips provide opportunities to explore the diverse human and physical geography of the country.
The ACM center, located near the University of Costa Rica, provides a Spanish-only environment with classrooms, social areas and computer facilities.
Go to: Overview ... orientation and language study ... selecting a topic ... conducting research ... topics in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities ... academic information ... staff ... costs ... how to apply ... contacts
 
updated 12/5/07