Expected Price: $2199; APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED NOW
Learn how Costa Rica has used sustainability and ecotourism to stimulate economic development, enjoy ecotourism and cultural activities led by locals, and experience life in the developing world. Some activities include:
- Visiting a family-owned sustainable coffee farm and learn about local coffee cultivation.
- Living in an indigenous village and learning their way of life.
- Trekking in rain forests and cloud forests.
- Swimming in waterfalls and a river warmed by the volcanoes; white-water rafting.
- Experiencing community-based tourism that creates local jobs and income.
- Zip-line through the largest canopy course and complete hanging bridges trek.
- Horseback riding through mountain ranges and coffee farms.
- Visiting a rural school to learn about the economic challenges they face.
- Staying in sustainable eco-lodges in the forest.
Econ 301 (3 credits): Sustainability, Economic Development, and Ecotourism in Costa Rica. No prerequisite, open to all majors. Topics include Costa Rican Economy/Sustainable Development/Measuring Environmental Health (Green GDP)/Ecotourism and its Impacts/Deforestation and Rainforest Protection/International Trade/Banana, Coffee, Palm Oil, Sugar Industries/Social Issues (squatting, prostitution, drugs).
- Course waives Gen-ED Goal 9.
- Course is tentatively approved as a Perspectives course in new Civitae curriculum (Global category).
Information Sessions:
- Tuesday, February 5 at 3:30 in Hiner 201
- Thursday, February 21 at 3:30 in Hiner 201
- Tuesday, March 19 at 5:00 in Hiner 201
Contact Dr. Melanie Marks at marksmb@longwood.edu for more information.