Overview
The Study Abroad Program at Las Nubes EcoCampus offers several courses during the academic year, though which students are given an unprecedented opportunity to interact with and learn from the local rural Costa Rican communities through first-hand lessons on tropical ecology, sustainability, indigenous education, arts, health, and conservation. The emphasis of our programs is on experiential education, building on our long-standing relationships with diverse communities and groups in Southern Costa Rica, including women’s organizations, agricultural cooperatives and producers, environmental protection and social justice groups, and indigenous communities, within others.
Our courses have no prerequisites and are open to all University undergraduate (3rd and 4th year) and graduate students. Students can enroll in the courses as elective credits. If you would like these courses to count towards major degree requirements, you must contact your faculty’s/department’s program director and/or academic advisor.
Duration: 10 days for Summer courses, 9 days for Winter courses
Number of Credits: 3 per course
Course Activities: Lectures, guest speakers, hikes, visits to sites and to communities, conversations with local stakeholders, hands-on projects with local organizations.
BEFORE YOU ENROLL
Our courses are intensive as well as physically and emotionally demanding. It is important that you consider these factors before enrolling in any of the courses. You also need to take into consideration all the health and safety risk factors listed on the Government of Canada’s website (Costa Rica Profile). You will need to acknowledge some of these factors on the Risk Assessment forms. If you have questions or concerns regarding accommodations and/or disabilities and before enrolling in any of the courses, you should schedule an appointment with Josephine C. Zeeman, Director of the Office of Student & Academic Services, EUC.
Selected faculties and departments at York University have created bursaries and awards to support student participation in international experiences. Note that your application to these bursaries and awards is contingent on your enrollment in the Las Nubes Study Abroad courses and applications will be processed only after the mandatory sessions.
1. Las Nubes Study Abroad Fund (LNSAF)
This is a fee subsidy provided to students who participate in the courses offered by Las Nubes at the Las Nubes EcoCampus.
Eligibility Criteria: All York University students participating in the Las Nubes Study Abroad programs are eligible to receive the LNSAF. The amount of LNSAF funding is based on:
- Financial need (students with financial needs will be given higher consideration)
- Good academic standing (B+ or higher)
- Number of courses registered for at Las Nubes
- External funding or other awards applied for/received
There are two categories:- Category 1: Full one-course subsidy ($1,300 each, 4 per year)
- Category 2: Offered to support students enrolled in one or more courses.
No application is needed. However, you need to complete the Office of Student and Financial Services' Student Financial Profile (SFP). On the SFP website, please select APPLY NOW to complete your submission. Please note that the amount of LNSAF funding you can receive will not be finalized until after the application deadline.
2. York International Mobility Award (YIMA)
York International provides all degree-seeking York University students a travel subsidy to support their participation in global learning opportunities (no application needed).
3. Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Study Abroad Fund
For LA&PS students who want to study or participate in academic international activities abroad as part of their degree but need financial assistance. The application is available through the Go Abroad website
4. Glendon, Experiential Education Fund For Glendon students enrolled in the GL/SP/COMS4608 course. The application is available through the Experiential Education website
Travel Insurance: Students are required to have travel insurance approved by York University. Students must register directly with GuardMe through York International’s website.
Visa: Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica. Refer to the Embassy of Costa Rica on Canada’s website for requirements for citizens of other countries. If you are traveling to Costa Rica through another country, verify whether you need a 'transit visa.'
Health & Safety: Our courses are intensive as well as physically and emotionally demanding. It is important that you consider these factors before enrolling in any of the courses. You also need to take into consideration all the health and safety risk factors listed on the Government of Canada’s website (Costa Rica Profile). You will need to acknowledge some of these factors on the Risk Assessment forms.
Flight: York University does not make the flight or travel insurance arrangements for students. For each course, you will be given specific information as to when to arrive and where will you be picked up and dropped off. Any activities or plans made outside our course program are the student’s responsibility. York International (YI) provides an award to all participating York students to help cover fare costs.
Room: Accommodations are a combination of homestays and hotels depending on the course.
Food: Local Costa Rican food will be provided taking into account dietary restrictions and/or preferences.
Student with disability: Students who require accommodation need to meet with their advisors beforehand and provide their professors with letters of accommodations at the course orientation sessions.
Accessibility may be limited in certain areas in Costa Rica and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet all your accommodation needs. Should you have any questions or concerns and before you enroll in any of the courses, you should schedule a confidential appointment with Josephine C Zeeman, EUC Director of Office of Student & Academic Services at (416) 736-2100, ext. 66453.
Dropping courses: We take your deposit as a commitment to your participation. If you withdraw from the course(s) after paying the remainder of the program fee, the activities and items for which we have pre-paid on your behalf and counting on your participation will be deducted from the program fee.
Can a graduate student participate in this program?
Yes. Our courses have no prerequisites and are open to all University undergraduate (3rd and 4th year) and graduate students.
Can a student from another university participate in this program?
Yes. Our program is available to all university students.
Who will I be living with when I am in Costa Rica?
Accommodations are a combination of homestays with local families and hotels depending on the course.
Can I bring my family/friends with me during my study term?
No. Only students enrolled in the program can join the program. Note our courses are open to students at York University as well as other universities. If you would like to take the program with a friend, we encourage your friends to register for the course. Please see more details here
I missed the information session, is there a recorded video I can watch?
Coming soon
How many courses can I take?
You can take up to 9 courses (we offer 8 of them in the summer and 1 during the winter reading week)
Can I travel around Costa Rica once I finished the program?
Absolutely, you can arrive early and travel until the program starts OR go explore Costa Rica after you finish the program on your own or with family/friends.
When is the deposit deadline?
Winter Reading Week: Jan 13, 2024
Summer Abroad: April 3, 2023
Courses
Registration, Enrollment & After Enrollment
To enroll in our courses, you need to complete the following steps. This information applies to York University students. Students from other universities, please check the section for Visiting Students.