LIU Study Abroad


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Heredia, Costa Rica – Environmental Justice

Dates: May 16 – 26, 2025

Costa Rica Waterfall

Course Title: GCOS 398 - Environmental Justice in Costa Rica

Course Description: Environmental justice is a field of study and a social movement that considers diversity and equity for all beings, human and non-human, in the context of environmental action. This course will take place in Costa Rica, a country with a strong historic sustainability agenda; at the same time, Costa Rica’s environmental actions, like those of many other countries, have not always considered environmental justice for underrepresented groups (e.g., smallholder farmers, Indigenous land defenders, fisherfolk and others). In this course, we will examine the global agenda for sustainable development with the lens of environmental and climate justice; using Costa Rica as a case study, we will analyze how sustainability, conservation, and development initiatives have historically excluded the perspectives of those currently most impacted by environmental crises. We will visit communities that are at the frontlines of environmental defense and climate action and that have been most affected by our current environmental crises. While in farming, fisher, and Indigenous communities, we will learn how they understand and are fighting for environmental justice and equitable pathways for development.

Credits: 3 advanced liberal arts credits. All summer study abroad courses also count as Honors College credits (for those in the Honors College).

Instructor: Dr. Olivia Sylvester

Summer Travel:

  • Arrive at San Jose Airport between 11-3 PM on 5/16/25 to receive free transport.
    • Students can also pay a small amount for individual transport if they cannot accommodate this time.
    • Check out of accommodations by 11 AM on 5/26/25

Accommodation: 

  • Students will reside in double rooms in a hotel in Heredia.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1

  • Visit the El Toledo permaculture organic family coffee farm
  • Lunch at a traditional Costa Rican farm with local organic ingredients
  • Classroom session
  • Dinner

Day 2

  • Visit Carara National Park
  • Lunch  
  • Visit Tarcoles, a fisherfolk community in charge of marine areas for sustainable fishing
  • Free time

Day 3

  • Visit to UPEACE - Earth Charter and UPEACE organic farm
  • Lunch
  • Free time
  • Dinner

Travel Fees:

  • $1840.05 (not including airfare)

    • Travel fee includes:

    • Airport transfer 
    • All transportation to field trips and activities
    • All field trips, activities, registration/entrance fees
    • Books and course materials
    • Hotel accommodation (double rooms)
    • Select meals
    • Travel insurance

Notes: 

  • Plan to bring about $30-40 a day because only select meals are included.

Guidelines For All Courses:

  • Open to all undergraduate LIU students not graduating in spring 2025.
    • P1, P2, and P3 Pharmacy students are also invited to participate.
    • Non-LIU undergraduate students are also welcome to enroll but must pay the additional credit cost mentioned below.
    • These are spring courses with a travel component after the final exam period.
    • Meet once a week for one hour and fifty minutes over Zoom during the spring 2025 semester. Courses will meet a total of 8 days during the semester. Students are expected to keep the block open throughout the semester until the faculty member provides the final schedule at the start of the course.
    • 10-18 students per course.
    • Students must adhere to the conduct rules outlined in the Student Handbook while on all trips. 
      • If students do not adhere to these rules, they can be expelled from the trip at their expense.

Travel Requirements:

  • All participants must have a valid passport. It cannot expire within six months of the trip. No visa is required for U.S. participants for the current summer study abroad offerings. For non-U.S. citizens, please research travel requirements and reach out directly to discuss your specific needs.
  • Participants must have received all vaccinations required by the country, region, or airline. Please research travel requirements and reach out directly to discuss your specific needs.

Understanding Extra Fees:

  • Credit costs are included in LIU semester tuition (if registered for 18 credits or less).
    • $1256 extra for each credit over 18 (LIU undergrad).
    • $1489 extra for each credit over 18 (LIU professional phase Pharmacy).
    • $4277 additional charge for non-LIU undergraduate visiting students.
      • They will receive three credits from LIU that transfer to their institution. They will need to speak with their own institution to see what the credits count for in their degree.
  • Airfare is NOT INCLUDED – students must arrive during a specific time window on a set date and leave university care after the final activity.
    • Students are welcome to arrive early and/or stay after the course finishes.
    • Students are responsible for themselves and all travel costs outside the course days.
    • Please do not purchase airfare until after 12/20/2024, when the courses are confirmed as running with at least 10 participants.
  • Students only pay a fixed travel fee that includes:
    • Airport transfer (COS and EUR only)
    • All transportation to field trips and activities
    • All field trips, activities, registration/entrance fees
    • Books and course materials
    • Hotel accommodation (double rooms)
    • Select meals
    • Travel insurance

Deadlines:

  • Students must enroll in short-term study abroad courses by 12/20/2024 to reserve their place.
  • A $1000 deposit is due by 2/3/2025. The remaining balance is due according to your spring semester billing plan.
  • Students cannot drop short-term study abroad courses after 12/20/2024 without being liable for charges.
    • Students are liable for all travel fees (travel, accommodation, etc.) if they drop short-term study abroad courses after 12/20/2024.
    • Students are liable for all travel and credits (if over 18 or non-LIU) if they drop short-term study abroad courses after 2/3/25.

Registration:

  • This course will open with spring registration.
  • Non-LIU students should reach out to Gregory.Barton@liu.edu to enroll.
  • Space in the courses is first come, first serve. The only way to secure a spot is to register for the course. There is no waitlist for the courses – students must monitor enrollment on their own.
  • You must be available to meet during the weekly virtual meeting time – this is a class. There will be no exceptions.

Scholarships:

  • LIU scholarships and federal financial pay for your semester tuition, not travel fees.
  • LIU students can apply for the Long Island University Study Abroad Fellowship to supplement the travel fees for the study abroad experience by 11/15/2024. 
    • The Study Abroad Fellowship is awarded based on merit and financial need. It will not cover the entire amount.
    • The Study Abroad Fellowship is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Students will be informed of decisions by 11/30/2024.
    • The application link is: https://forms.office.com/r/CkM2T3sYev   

More Information:


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