This extended field-study course will include weekly on-campus meetings with a field trip to Costa Rica over spring break. This distinctive interdisciplinary course will focus on two key themes: Tropical Ecology and Conservation and The Politics of Ecotourism. Students will study unique Costa Rica ecosystems, the use of policy to juggle biodiversity conservation and economic development, and the political implications of this balancing act. The field portion of the course will include time in the political hub of San José, remote tropical rainforests and the Pacific Coast of the Osa Peninsula, and a high elevation cloud forest near Monteverde.

Spring Semester 2026 Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Trip Details

male and female student walking through Costa Rican rainforestTravel to: San José, Osa Peninsula, and Monteverde, Costa Rica

Travel Dates: March 13–22, 2026

Faculty Leaders: Brent Olson and David Kimberly

Engaging the World: Successful completion of this class with a grade of C- or better fulfills the Engaging the World graduation requirement.

Course Fee: $3,400 ($300 non-refundable deposit due at time of registration, $3,100 due by Nov. 7, 2025).

  • Includes round-trip airfare (Utah to Costa Rica), accommodations, most meals, required entrance fees, shared field gear, international health insurance, and faculty expenses. 
  • Students will need an estimated $150-300 spending money for incidentals, some meals, and other personal expenses. 

Course (choose 1): BIOL*300E*01 or ENVI*330E*01 

Prerequisites: Previously or currently enrolled in ENVI*101 or BIOL*203 or instructor permission.

Accessibility and Housing: Participants should expect to walk up to 5 miles per day, including stairs, and to experience prolonged periods of standing. All participants are responsible for transporting and handling their own luggage. Due to different standards of accessibility outside the United States, many sites visited are not handicap accessible. Standard housing is double or triple rooms in hotels, ecolodges, or similar. Housing placements are completed prior to travel. Please email Disability Services (disabilityservices@westminsteru.edu) with housing and disability related concerns by November 1, 2025.

Application and Registration

Interested students should apply by October 3, 2025 to be considered for this program. Accepted students will be provided a link to confirm their participation and pay a $300 deposit to hold their spot.

Submit an application

Payment Schedule

  • A $300 deposit is due no later than Oct. 10, 2025. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable unless Westminster University cancels the course due to insufficient enrollment.
  • The balance of the course fee ($3,100) will be posted to Self-Service and is due in full by Nov. 7, 2025.
  • Tuition for spring semester is billed separately and is due by Jan. 1, 2026.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

  • To withdraw from the Conservation in Costa Rica program, you must notify the faculty leader in writing of the intention to withdraw
  • The $300 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable unless Westminster University cancels the course due to insufficient enrollment
  • If you withdraw from the course on Nov. 8, 2025 or later, you are responsible for 100% of the course fee ($3,400)
  • Payment and refund schedule for tuition and fees will follow the Spring semester tuition payment and refund schedule
  • Westminster University reserves the right to cancel this class or make modifications to the itinerary and/or academic program due to factors that are beyond Westminster's control

five students in Costa Rica stanging in from of a sunset

students at tables working on a project outside