natural history and conservation
TENTATIVE DATES:
December 27 - January 10, 2013
Application Fee
$100
Program Fee
The Program Fee includes tuition and program expenses. Click on Program Fee for details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsiblity of the participant.
Application Deadline
October 5, 2012
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, including students who do not attend George Mason University.
Credits
Undergraduate
3 semester credits in BIOL 497, EVPP 490, or NCLC 495
Housing
Double-occupancy in three-star hotels
Excursions
Too many to list!
See the itinerary below.
CONTACT: Denise Elles-Mdahuar via email or by calling 703.993.2155 or toll free at 866.468.1243. The toll free number does not accept calls from the 703 or 571 area code.
Downloadable Documents
tentative itinerary [doc]
Syllabus available upon request
Faculty Info

Photo by Stan Schretter, 2011 Costa Rica Alum and Winner of CGE's 4th Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest
Study abroad in Costa Rica this Winter Break, and experience a wide variety of ecosystems during this fourteen-day program!

Last Year's Program Participants
During this trip, students will get the opportunity to experience a wide variety of ecosystems throughout Cost Rica during a fourteen-day trip that will introduce them to the natural history of the area and the unique biodiversity that calls it home. They will also learn how these ecosystems and their species are currently being protected by the Costa Rican government through classroom lectures as well as field guidance from a Costa Rican Naturalist.

Lectures on conservation issues within Costa Rica and Central America will be given by the course instructor and guest lecturers from several of the locations that will be visited. Costa Rica currently has more areas under protected status than anywhere else in the western hemisphere, making it an ideal location to learn about the environment and different measures that are being taken to protect it.

During this trip, students will be able to experience and learn about a wide array of wildlife from our Naturlist Guide, who is also a professional photographer, and will have the opportunity to capture amazing photographs of the indigenous wildlife and photographs of their experiences in Costa Rica.
TENTATIVE PROGRAM ITINERARY:
Thursday, December 27
Arrive in San Jose
Group transfer from airport to hotel
Overnight: Hotel Villas Tournon
Friday, December 28
Orientation meeting with coordinator and guide
Departure for Arenal
Overnight: Arenal Vista Lodge
Saturday, December 29
Hike to Arenal Waterfall
Canopy tour
Overnight: Arenal Vista Lodge
Sunday, December 30
Early morning bird walk
Departure for Selva Verde Lodge
Orientation walk around the gardens
Overnight: Selva Verde
Monday, December 31
Early morning bird walk
Nature walk in La Selva Biological Research Station
Free afternoon
Overnight Selva Verde Lodge
Tuesday, January 1
Early morning bird walk
Banana Plantation tour
Rainforest workshop
Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge
Wednesday, January 2
Early morning bird walk
Cacao tour at Tirimbina
Rafting
Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge
Thursday, January 3
Optional bird walk
Visit to a local school for community service
Horseback riding
Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge
Friday, January 4
Departure for the Talamanca Mountain Range
Overnight: Hotel Savegre
Saturday, January 5
Early morning bird walk
Forest hike
Free afternoon
Overnight: Hotel Savegre
Sunday, January 6
Hike from Cerro Buena vista
Free afternoon
Overnight: Hotel Savegre
Monday, January 7
Departure for the Central Pacific side
Overnight: Villa Lapas
Tuesday, January 8
Boat tour on Tarcoles River
Visit a local beach
Overnight: Villa Lapas
Wednesday, January 9
Departure for San Jose
Overnight: Villas Tournon
Thursday, January 10
Return flight to USA
Academic Director

Jason O'Bryhim is a Ph.D. candidate in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University. His current research uses population genetics and social surveys to assess the status of shark populations and conservation in Costa Rica. He has taught courses in Marine Biology, Oceanography, and Environmental Science at George Mason University and Augusta State University. Jason was also an undergraduate student advisor for the Undergraduate Biology Program at GMU. He completed his Masters of Science degree on the effect that public knowledge has on a person's behavior toward shark conservation. Over the past few years, Jason has participated in several programs in the tropics. Last year he led a small group of CGE students to Costa Rica where they studied Conservation and Wildlife Photography.
tentative daTES:
December 27 - January 10, 2013
You should plan to arrive in Costa Rica at least one day prior to the program start date for the first day of the program. You can schedule our return from Costa Rica for the last day of the program or choose to travel independently.
Do not purchase international airfare until you are advised by your Program Officer.
Program Fee
$3,820*
The Center for Gobal Education Program Fee includes:
Tuition
All lodging
Pre-departure orientation
Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to George Mason students. George Mason students can click here to download the CGE Global Perspectives scholarship application. Mason students may also use financial aid to cover a program's cost. Discuss this with your financial aid counselor early in your study abroad planning process. If you are not a George Mason University student, check with your study abroad office or office of financial aid to learn more about how to cover the cost of your study abroad.
How to Apply
Consult the How to Apply section for detailed instructions. Start by completing the online application. Pay the $100 application fee.
Note that all supplemental documents are required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the Program Officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.
*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

