Costa Rica: Tour Information

I. Introduction

Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at UW Tacoma is offering a field course on Tropical Ecology and Community during Summer Quarter, 2007. The program will introduce students to issues in tropical ecology, focusing on balancing production (e.g. agriculture) and rainforest conservation. This 12-credit course is centered around a two-week stay in the rural village of Mastatal, in the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica. Students will stay in communal bunk facilities at the Rancho Mastatal Environmental Learning Center for most of the tour; a few days will be devoted to exploring the coastal environment in and around Manuel Antonio Park, a few hours to the west. Pre- and post-tour activities and presentations on the UWT campus (in June and August, respectively) will comprise the rest of the coursework.

Itinerary includes:

1. Independent student rainforest research projects
2. Live in rural farming village (homestays with local village residents optional)
3. Cultural exchange with indigenous people in nearby Zapaton
4. Excursion to coastal habitats, wildlife viewing

II. Student Eligibility

There will be a maximum of 15 students chosen to participate in this class. Non-matriculated and matriculated, undergraduate and graduate students in environmental-related programs are invited to apply. Students from other disciplines are also invited to apply. Participants are selected on the basis of scholarship, preparation, interest, motivation, emotional maturity, and financial responsibility. No previous international/language experience is required, though a willingness for hard physical activity is necessary and familiarity with at least basic Spanish is a plus.

Rancho Mastatal is located in the lowland Pacific forests of central Costa Rica. The community is reached via poor, unpaved roads. There are no direct lines of communication to Mastatal; the closest general-use phone is 5 km away. This program requires that students be in good physical shape, as the topography of the area is variable with very steep terrain in places.

III. Assignments

Students will be required to do readings, design and conduct independent research projects in the field, and they will participate in group discussions during their stay in Costa Rica. Students will be required to present a summary (via PowerPoint) of their research projects and design and create websites upon returning to the UW.

IV. Texts

The textbooks used in this program are: 1) A Neotropical Companion, Kricher, 2nd edition, 1999 Princeton University Press; 2) Breakfast of biodiversity: the truth about rainforest destruction, Vandermeer, J. & I. Perfecto, 2005, 2nd revised edition, Food First, Oakland, CA. The texts will be supplied with registration for the program. Additional reading recommended (not required) for the program:

1. The Ticos: Cultural and Social Change in Costa Rica, Biesanz, 1999, Rienner Publishers.
2. Costa Rica: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide, Beletsky, L., 1998, Academic Press.

V. Study Site

Mastatal is a small (pop: 160) agricultural community located approximately 2.5 hours south/southwest from San Jose in the Pacific lowlands of central Costa Rica. Mastatal is a 1.5-hour drive from Santiago Puriscal and a 1.25-hour drive from Quepos/Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast. Students will be housed at Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning center located in Mastatal. The learning center sits on private land that is adjacent to the La Cangreja National Park (Cerro Cangreja), the newest national park in Costa Rica (designated in June 2002). The park contains the last remaining primary forest in the ecotonal region between the Pacific lowlands and the central highlands. It is estimated that the park may have the highest biodiversity of any place in Costa Rica, as it is the transitional zone between the moist tropical lowland forest and the upland tropical dry forest with elements from both ecosystems.

VI. Application

To apply for TESC 404, download, print, and complete the Application Form . Completed applications are due Friday, March 2nd, 2007 along with a $750 deposit made out to UWT. Please be sure to write "Costa Rica Summer 2007" on the memo line of the check. A copy of your most recent transcript must accompany your application from each college or university attended. Applications will be accepted until March 30, 2007.

VII. Program Fees

Total program fee is $4,300. This total amount includes academic course fees ($1,700) and travel fees ($2,600). Academic course fees will be charged to participants' UW student accounts, to be paid the same way as tuition. After the initial $750 travel deposit, remaining travel fees ($1,850) are paid to Tropical Adventures in Education (TAE). The academic course fee which covers the cost of tuition is $1,700 and includes a $100 non-refundable administrative fee charged by UW Tacoma International Programs.

For travel program description and payment schedule see Tropical Adventures in Education (TAE) in Section IX below.

VIII. Refund Conditions for Academic Fees

1. If you are not accepted to the program, the entire $750 deposit will be refunded.
2. If you are accepted and withdraw prior to May 1, 2007, the deposit, less a $50 handling fee, will be refunded.
3. If you withdraw after May 1, 2007, you will forfeit the entire $750 travel deposit.

Notice of Withdrawal from the program MUST be made in writing to:

UWT International Programs
Box 358437
University of Washington, Tacoma
1900 Commerce St
Tacoma WA 98402

IX. Travel Program

Travel arrangements will be made through Tropical Adventures in Education LLC (TAE).

A. What's Included:

• Services of Tropical Adventures in Education LLC (TAE) for complete pre-tour information
• Round-trip airfare from Seattle, Washington
• All ground and air transportation in Costa Rica
• All scheduled excursions during the program
• All admission fees to national parks and reserves, including fees for English and Spanish speaking guides and naturalists
• All transfers, service charges and taxes (including airport departure taxes)
• All meals (except where noted) and hotel/lodge accommodations while in Costa Rica
• At least one TAE staff member will accompany the group to and from Costa Rica
• Educational materials and equipment for the academic and research programs
• Travel Insurance (see paragraph G for details)

B. Not Included:

• UWT academic course fee in the amount of $1,700 which includes a $100 non-refundable administrative fee charged by UW Tacoma International Programs.
• Meals while in transit to and from the US and between sites in Costa Rica
• Tips to drivers and guides
• Items of personal nature such as phone calls, souvenirs, and laundry service

C. Accommodations:

Overnight accommodations in San Jose will be made at hotels/lodges near the airport. Arrangements will be double, triple or quadruple occupancy depending on the facility. Accommodations in Mastatal will be at Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning center. Sleeping arrangements will be dorm-style, separated by gender. There are indoor and outdoor bathroom facilities. Meals will be prepared on site by local Costa Rican staff. Special dietary considerations may be requested.

D. Travel Documents:

A U.S. passport valid 6 months beyond your anticipated date of return to the US is required. No visa, tourist card or immigration certificate is required.

E. Health Requirements:

No immunizations are required for Costa Rica. However, it is advisable that you are up-to-date on your regular immunization schedule. Please, consult your personal physician or local health board about voluntary precaution against malaria. Due to the prescribed activities that are a part of the program (ie. extensive hiking and fieldwork), participants should be in reasonably good physical condition.

F. Climate:

Costa Rica is located between 8º and 9º N latitude. Temperatures around Rancho Mastatal vary from the mid- to high-80s ºF during the day to the low- to mid-70s ºF at night. The rainy season can begin in May, and peak in October. During the July tour, rain, when it occurs, will be during brief afternoon or evening showers. Rancho Mastatal is situated at about 400 meters above sea level. Breezes off the nearby Pacific Ocean help keep the humidity down and evenings pleasant.

G. Insurance:

Personal comprehensive travel insurance is provided by TAE for all participants. Applications will be supplied by TAE. Upon completion of the application and acceptance by the insurance company, a Certificate of Insurance Coverage will be issued before departure. The insurance coverage will include: trip cancellation/interruption, baggage loss, accident and medical evacuation riders. For more information contact TAE at (206) 660-4193.

H. Reservation and Payment Schedule for Travel Fees (TAE)

The travel fee for the Costa Rica tour is $2,600, with payments due according to the schedule below. Remember, the $750 deposit is due at the time of application and should be paid to the UW Tacoma Cashier's Office. All remaining payments should be made directly to TAE.

Travel fee payments may be made with a personal check, money order, certified or cashier's check. Please make checks payable to:

Tropical Adventures in Education LLC
740 N 68th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206-660-4193
e-mail: tae2001@hotmail.com

I. Travel Cancellations:

All travel cancellations MUST be made in writing to TAE.

1. If you cancel by April 1, 2007, all monies will be refunded less a $50 processing fee.
2. If you cancel after April 1 but before May 1, 2007, you will be assessed an $800 fee.
3. Thereafter, all refunds are limited to amounts recoverable from commercial airlines and in-country land and air transport companies. No refunds will be given for unused accommodations, meals or other fees and services.

X. Changes in Costs or Scope of the Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

XI. Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 1, 2007, the program will be cancelled and all recoverable monies paid in will be refunded.

XII. Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Support Services Office at least ten days in advance. An appointment can be made through the front desk of Student Affairs (253-692-4400), through Student Services (692-4501), or by phoning Lisa Tice at 692-4493 (voice) or 692-4413 (TTY), or by email (ltice@u.washington.edu).