- Monteverde, Costa Rica
In Monteverde, you'll feel like you're on top of the world, but
really, you've reached the central point of the nation's continental
divide. Situated at 4,662 ft above sea level, Monteverde, Costa Rica
is a lot like the United States' Pacific Northwest region - a tropical
lush evergreen zone known as the Cloud Forest.
Within the cloud forests of Monteverde
- Tens of thousands of diverse insects.
- 2,500 species of plants (420 are strictly orchids).
- 400 varieties of birds.
- Over 100 types of mammals.
This is truly a great place to study conservation, biodiversity,
sustainability, and tropical ecology.
Area(s) of Study
- Biology
- Marine Science
- Spanish
- Sustainability Studies
- Human Ecology
- Natural Sciences
Sponsored by CIEE - a UT Affiliate
Academic Information
The CIEE Study Center in Monteverde has a long tradition of high academic quality in the natural sciences. Please see program website for more detailed information regarding the academic content of a specific program. Below is the link to the summer course listings.
Faculty
Students can attend any of CIEE's semester and summer programs in Monteverde, including Open Campus Block and Internships. Please include the program link in your UT application. Program costs can be found in the specific program pages, budgets listed on the UT program page are an estimate. CIEE application deadlines vary.
Language(s) of Instruction
Spanish and English
Eligibility
- Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance
- Overall 2.5 GPA, See CIEE website for specific prerequisites
- SE Program: 3 semesters of college-level environmental studies
- TEC Program: 2 semesters of college-level biology
- Summer Program: 1 semester of college-level biology
Service Learning/Internship
- Service Learning - No
- Internship - Yes
Housing
SUMMER PROGRAM: Students live in a biological station. SE PROGRAM: Students placed in individual homestays. TEC PROGRAM: Students placed at biological station (2 months), homestay (1 month), and travel with CIEE throughout Costa Rica (1 month).
Open To
Students from all colleges and schools
Program Cost
Students pay a $75 application, $19/wk overseas insurance, and a $600 affiliated studies registration fee to UT Austin. Students pay an application and program fee (tuition, housing) to CIEE. See the Provider website for details. Federal financial aid and scholarships apply for full-time summer (6 credits)/semester (12) enrollment.
Dates:
- Program: January 12, 2026 to April 4, 2026
- Instructional: January 12, 2026 to April 4, 2026
- Final Deadline: October 15, 2025
- Program: May 18, 2026 to July 13, 2026
- Instructional: May 18, 2026 to July 13, 2026
- Final Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Program: August 17, 2026 to November 7, 2026
- Instructional: August 17, 2026 to November 7, 2026
- Final Deadline: March 15, 2026
Application Code
210018
Program Coordinator
Emily Garcia
Additional Resources
Program Website
Peer Evaluations
Internship
Scholarships
Make an Appointment
Instagram
Next Step
(1) View Explore Education Abroad 101 and Ready to Apply videos. (2) Review the provider website for program details, academic offers, costs, application requirements, and deadlines. (3) Apply to CIEE, list Emily Garcia as program coordinator. (4) Apply to UT. See the Education Abroad How to Apply / Affiliate webpage for details.