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

Field research

Left: A student doing research at Cerro de la Muerte talks with the program director. (Photo courtesy of Gail Lehman)

Below: A student talks with her research advisor, Grace Wong.

In Costa Rica, Tropical Field Research participants have plenty of support, with courses, a research advisor, and experts from business, government agencies and universities to consult. Costa Rican society and the nation's abundant natural resources provide many opportunities for research.

Along with these resources, students draw on their own motivation and ingenuity as they gather and analyze data, prepare reports, and cope with understanding -- and living in -- a different culture.

Selecting a topic

Choosing a research topic can be a complicated process. Students are asked to write about their research interests in their applications, but should be aware that the field project they actually do in Costa Rica depends on the expertise and availability of faculty advisors.

The program’s professional contacts in Costa Rica allow students to pursue research with field specialists in a broad spectrum of disciplines. Advisors are drawn from academic institutions, business, government, and non-governmental and international organizations.

In the first week of the semester, the students discuss with the program director and the academic advisors possible research options. The director selects advisors for the students with similar interests and expertise in the specific fields of interest.

Students have pursued research in a wide range of topics in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities.

Proposal and field research

Student and advisor then write a detailed research proposal. Advisors counsel students on methodology and on the practical problems of operating in the field. They also help identify useful resources. A visit to the field site with the advisor precedes field work.

Students spend March and April in the field and are strongly encouraged to find research sites outside San José.

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

Wrap-up in San Jose

A month-long period in the city concludes the semester. During that time, students complete their research papers in consultation with their advisors and formally present the results to the group.

Go to: Overview ... orientation and language study ... selecting a topic ... conducting research ... academic information ... staff ... costs ... how to apply ... contacts