Zoology & Wildlife Sciences Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Explore the high biodiversity of the tropical cloud forest of Monteverde, where conservation initiatives, environmental education, ecotourism, and the local community live together to preserve this unique place threatened by climate change. Students interested in environmental and natural sciences will learn valuable skills through hands-on experience courses. The high biodiversity of the tropics comes with the ecological processes that shape tropical communities and affect how human activities harm the environment. Students may also learn Spanish and interact with the local community in their native language. During the last weeks of the program, students carry out independent research projects where they apply the knowledge gained through the program courses.

CULTIVATE FLUENCY IN SPANISH, INDULGE YOUR LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS In Heredia, it’s easy to combine an interest in sustainable living and passion for nature with aspirations to take your Spanish language skills to the next level. Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA) offers top-ranked academics taught in Spanish, in a country known to put education first. After class, explore the Mercado Central or go for a hike. This small, walkable city sits in Costa Rica’s central valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains and coffee plantations, with trails a 15-minute bus ride from UNA.

Do your international internship with Maximo Nivel - get international work experience in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. - Education (K-12) - Special Education - Micro-Business - Hospitality & Tourism - Human Rights - Medical Please take note of these qualifications: - Interns should be fluent in English. - Spanish language skills are only required for Micro-Business and Medical internships. - Interns should be enrolled or have completed a Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. - Medical interns must present proof of their medical training. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best internship, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America along with top-notch client service and great home base facilities. Live it!

CIS Abroad Study and Intern Abroad programs are some of the most affordable, comprehensive program packages available. We also don't cut any corners by offering everything you would expect from an overseas program: tuition, housing, support, insurance, excursions, social and cultural activities, and airport pick-up – all considered the core of our package. Some programs also include all or most meals, extensive off-site orientations/excursions, transportation passes, and more. Whether you want to study for a year, semester, or summer, intern for a month to a year, or take an intensive foreign language course for a couple of weeks, CIS Abroad has the perfect program for you at the best value! "You're Going Places with CIS Abroad!"

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, students are immersed in a hands-on field research program that takes advantage of the immense biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. They learn how to apply the scientific method while collaborating with team members to establish their original research question as well as the experimental design for their project. Students work together to implement their research and learn how to work as a team to overcome challenges and rebound from failures within resource and time constraints, just as in any real-world project. They use statistics to validate the results of their experiments and give presentations showing the results of their work, just like any research scientist would! The Tropical Field Research program prepares students for university-level science. Students learn how to work as a team, handle differences, and take advantage of the ways others communicate best. Students use TypeCoach to help navigate team-member differences. They learn and apply the most appropriate experimental designs, apply key statistical analysis techniques, and present their research in Costa Rica and their community at home.

Located in the central valley of Costa Rica, San José is a vibrant urban center in the heart of a serene and beautiful nation. Three volcanoes surround the city, and quaint villages, farms, and coffee plantations dot the hillsides. Though the metropolitan area is home to 36% of the nation’s population, one can easily explore the smaller central area of the city and discover its neighborhood markets and local restaurants. Cultural opportunities, including theater, music, cinema, and dance, are also abundant in San José. Students can visit the Museo Nacional, the Museo de Oro Precolombino with its sparkling collection of pre-Columbian gold, or the Museo de Jade, boasting the world’s largest collection of jade.

Want to know what it's like to work with animals every day? Thinking of being a veterinarian? Join us in a tropical paradise and get a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine. The best way to learn about a future in veterinary medicine is to roll up your sleeves and jump right in! Working alongside professionals, you'll learn how to examine different types of animals, give injections, and perform necropsy and diagnostic tests. Attend lectures on anatomy, immunology, diagnostics, pathology, animal behavior, and other topics. Observe and assist local veterinarians in drawing blood, interpreting radiographs, and performing spay/neuter surgeries. This is a real-world experience with animals on actual working farms, in clinics, and even a wildlife rescue center. The excitement doesn't stop there, though. Raft the rapids of the Sarapiqui, zip-line through the jungle canopy, and experience Costa Rica's friendly culture in a way that few do. For summer 2026, we are offering four sessions (while spots are available): June 18 - July 9, 2026 June 25 - July 16, 2026 July 12 - August 2, 2026 July 19 - August 9, 2026 For more information on cost and availability, check our website.

Travel to Costa Rica's Tortugeuro National Park, home to many protected species, such as the leatherback sea turtle, and the jaguar. This study abroad program explains the science behind conservation and it aims to challenge artists or designers to use their skills to communicate our role in saving endangered species in Costa Rica and beyond. We will address questions such as: What concepts, theories, and methods inform our research and debates about endangered species, the sixth mass extinction, conservation, and human impacts on the natural world? Dr. Lucy Spelman, author, educator, and wildlife veterinarian , teaches this 3 credit course.

Immerse yourself in a semester-long adventure of learning and impact in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest! This unique Field Semester blends coursework with hands-on conservation, offering you the chance to explore diverse ecosystems, scale majestic volcanoes, kayak across glistening lagoons, and soak up the vibrant Costa Rican culture. Earn valuable credits through engaging courses focused on sustainability, conservation, Spanish language, and Costa Rican studies. Delve into topics like tropical ecology, ecotourism development, and environmental economics, led by passionate professors and local experts. This is your chance to become a globally conscious citizen, equipped with critical thinking skills, research experience, and a passion for making a difference. Volunteer at local conservation projects, collaborate with indigenous communities, and contribute to real-world sustainability initiatives that actively protect the rainforest ecosystem. You'll return home not just with academic credits, but also with a transformative experience that will shape your future career and worldview, leaving you forever connected to the magic of Costa Rica.

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

Known affectionately in our office as “dogs and dolphins”, this program offers the best of both worlds! Maximize your two weeks in Costa Rica by combining small animal medicine and marine research; you can build your professional résumé while exploring the country, from the jungle to the city to the coast. This program puts you alongside veterinarians and researchers whose job is to guide so you can learn and practice new skills while helping animals in need. Work in a dog shelter or a dog clinic and learn clinical skills including blood draws, suturing, skin scrapes, and assisting in spay and neuter surgeries. Spend one week living at a dolphin research facility learning by doing boat-based and lab research on dolphin health and behavior. Your program will also include fun exploration and cultural activities, including zip-lining and touring beautiful natural sites.

Enjoy the comforts of sleeping on a mattress every night with the experiential impact of diving into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics in the tropics of Costa Rica and Panama. Gain independence and become confident in yourself through course module takeways—marine ecology, mental health, doing your part to combat climate change, improving your Spanish language skills, the fundamentals of photography, Latin cuisine cooking, and more. Electronics, cell phones, and laptops are welcome on this program. Your residential gap semester can last from 35 to 65 days. Each program topic is complemented by excursions that will enhance your learning, including day trips to volcanoes, hot springs, tropical cloud forest or rainforest reserves, turtle nesting sites, and important political and historical locations in Costa Rica and Panama. Please see our website for more information about modules available. COVID-19 adjustments have been applied to this program to ensure your health and safety while studying abroad.

Spend a semester off the beaten path in Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, rushing waterfalls, and a laid-back culture embodied by the national motto: “Pura Vida.” Study conservation, development, and innovative strategies for sustainability, with the country’s many national parks, farms, and tropical ecosystems as your classrooms. Finish the semester by designing and conducting an in-depth research project, collecting data in the field, and presenting your results to peers and key community stakeholders. SFS students live and study at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies. The center is an active organic farm overlooking the vibrant Central Valley, where green is the predominant color as far as the eye can see. Dorms and classrooms intermingle with orchards and gardens, with our center dog, Hera, keeping watch over it all. The friendly town of Atenas is a 10-minute cab ride away, offering restaurants, shops, parks, and cultural events.