Semester in Monteverde
New for Fall 2025!
Unique Experiences
Visit the cloud forest
where moss and orchids dripping with mist decorate the boughs of gnarly trees
Live in a rural mountain community
surrounded by friendly Costa Ricans who will teach you how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, while you gain new professional skills
Be enchanted and inspired
when you hike beneath the canopy of the cloud forest and observe colorful plants and animals
3,021
SPECIES OF PLANTS AND TREES IN MONTEVERDE PRESERVE
#20
PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE WORLD AND IS CONSIDERED THE BEST IN LATIN AMERICA BY THE UNITED NATIONS
98%
LITERACY IN COSTA RICA; THE HIGHEST IN LATIN AMERICA
Your Destination
Located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, Monteverde lies along the continental divide at the crest of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain chain, which is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest extending down into the Atlantic lowlands. The cloud forest provides a striking contrast to the deciduous forest on the Pacific side.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1972 to protect the entire ridge above Monteverde and down into the Peñas Blancas Valley. Due to its unique history and geography, Monteverde is home to exotic flora, fauna, wildlife, and sustainability projects, including agriculture, energy production, water conservation, forest management, and biodiversity conservation.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Monteverde.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
As part of the Semester in Monteverde program, you’ll have the chance to:
- Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest where you can hike trails, immerse yourself in its incredible biodiversity, and learn about conservation efforts firsthand
- Enjoy breathtaking views from the treetops while ziplining, and gain insights into the role of ecotourism in Costa Rica’s economy
- Participate in day trips and multi-day field trips to explore Costa Rica’s natural wonders, including waterfalls and hot springs, while connecting with local traditions and communities
- Access indoor and outdoor areas with forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration and co-curricular activities
- Discover local foods and customs in the town of Monteverde
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Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Monteverde students live in on-campus residence halls surrounded by the Cloud Forest in triple or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students. Rooms have shared or ensuite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.
- Standard Housing: Includes a shared room with bunkbeds (occupancy: three to four students) on campus located under 15 minutes from the main campus area, where the dining hall and classrooms are located.
Meals
All students receive three meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is possible.
Academics
The Semester in Monteverde program offers a wide range of exciting courses in English, including biology, environmental science, environmental studies, nature photography, sustainable agriculture, sustainable tourism, and coffee cultivation – all taught by CIEE. For those looking to strengthen their language skills, Spanish language classes are also available. In addition, students also have access to Arizona State University ’s enormous catalog of fully accredited, online courses. There are no required courses and no prerequisites to participate, although upper-level courses will require previous coursework in related topics. Students in this program can choose from CIEE courses or up to 2 ASU online courses.
While abroad, you’ll have access to a range of complementary co-curricular, personal, and professional development activities. Throughout the program, you’ll dive into the connections between culture, conservation, and a more sustainable future. Through interactive activities and exercises, you are encouraged to consider issues of culture, identity, values, beliefs, and assumptions. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed discipline-specific skills that will allow you to integrate your new experiences into a broader understanding of the natural environment and local human cultures.
Arizona State University
Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- Trailblazer Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 17 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Pablo Allen
Center Director
Pablo is a native Costa Rican, born and raised in San José. He is an evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining CIEE in...
Jessica Arias
Academic Director
Jessica has a Ph.D. on Agricultural Science from the University of Costa Rica. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism and a master's degree in Sustainable Development, with a concentration in...
Jose Carlos Calderon
Student Life Manager
"Moncho" earned his bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Costa Rica with a specialization in bats. He has worked for CIEE Monteverde for more than 10 years as...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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