Summer 2026 International Environmental Issues & Globalization

 

Diving into course themes while getting oriented to Costa Rica through exploratory 

visits around San Ramón (above) and discussions with University of

Costa Rica students at a local park (below) 

 

 

 

 Learning the history of a sustainable ecotourism business at one of our field sites in the 

La Fortuna (above), where we also participated in Deep Ecology activities (below)

 

  

Various tropical rain forest visits (above) and a water 

quality field activity in a private reserve (below) 

   

 

Field visits included a local water collection facility involved in conservation and 

environmental education (above) and a hydroelectric power plant (below)

 

 

 

 

 Volunteer work during the course: 

Planting and butterfly garden 

maintenance (above), mural 

artwork design (right), and 

planting 220 native trees for 

watershed restoration and 

to offset our carbon 

footprint (below)

 

  

Learning the ecological importance of mangroves and discussing possible 

climate change impacts and solutions in Puntarenas (above and below)

 

Highlights of the flora and fauna we encountered during the course (above and below).  
Note: All pictures taken by us!

 

Spring 2026: Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty Education Abroad Field Seminar

 The Dean and faculty from five academic departments at a private 
ecotourism reserve in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica where 
they sampled a typical student field experience. 

 

 

 

 

 Visiting the University for Peace and University of Costa Rica to meet with colleagues 

and explore possible future field 

site opportunities.

Faculty meetings to identify multidisciplinary principles associated

with study abroad and with long-time local partners.

  

 Trying a rare tropical fruit (Chirimoya) from a tree that past students planted four 
years ago during their volunteer service-learning work at our partner's farm.

 

A view of the 'city of presidents and poets' (San Ramón) from a park 

that serves as a field site for student learning and reflection.