Women for Environmental Action
Why Choose This Program?
Explore
Have fun discovering Costa Rica's beautiful Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Network
Meet new friends and women scientists. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Gain engineering, math, and tech skills while conducting science research. Collaborate on an sustainability challenge action plan.
The Destination
Welcome to Costa Rica, to its rugged mountains, dramatic volcanoes, lush forests, and incredible biodiversity.
Although Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the planet’s surface, it contains over 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Its natural wealth, both in species and ecosystems, is the reason scientists from around the globe come to conduct research in this tiny Central American country. Cloud forests, one of the most unique and wondrous of all ecosystems, are found along Costa Rica’s northwestern mountaintops at Monteverde. It is here, the epicenter for biodiversity, sustainability, and scientific discovery, where you will live and research for three weeks.
Costa Rica is also a world leader in environmental sustainability. It currently runs on 100% renewable electricity and is actively working toward a national goal of carbon neutrality. The Costa Rican who formulated the national decarbonization plan is Andrea Meza, former Minister of Environment and Energy and one of many women leaders with a STEM background.
Cultural Awareness
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.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Visit to Natural Monteverde Cosmetics
The rich scents of citrus, florals like lavender and vanilla, and warm spices like cinnamon surround you as you and your fellow Global Navigators mix natural materials to create your own soaps. Inside the Monteverde Natural Cosmetics factory—a family-run business—you laugh together, experimenting with ingredients and designs. Guided by the entrepreneurs who built this local gem, you explore the art of turning raw, sustainable resources into health and beauty products.
This activity brings to life many of the concepts you’ve covered in class, viewed through the lens of a local family. On campus, you’ve learned about ecosystem services—provisioning, supporting, regulating, and cultural—and now you see those ideas in action. The family shares their journey of creating eco-friendly products that rely on these essential services, from healthy soil and pollination to clean water. The experience transforms theoretical knowledge into hands-on understanding.
This experience deepens your appreciation for sustainability and encourages you to think creatively about applying these principles in your own future projects and choices.
Macroinvertebrates (BioBlitz) at Quebrada Alondra
Knee-deep in a cool, rushing stream, you and your group sift through stones and sediment, uncovering tiny aquatic creatures. Guided by a local biologist, you learn how these macroinvertebrates—water bugs, snails, and larvae—serve as indicators of water quality. The vibrant ecosystem comes alive around you as you observe the intricate connections between these organisms and their environment.
After collecting your samples, you head to the lab, where dissecting scopes and data sheets await. In pairs, you carefully identify species, analyze findings, and work together to determine the health of the stream. The process mirrors the rigorous work of professional scientists, and the thrill of discovery keeps your group energized and engaged.
This hands-on experience, led by a successful female biologist, offers a glimpse into real-world scientific research and conservation. Whether sparking ideas for a college essay, preparing you for STEM studies, or shaping your vision for a future career in environmental science, this activity connects your passion for nature to meaningful action.
Classroom to Community: Women in STEM take on Environmental Sustainability Challenge
As we wrap up the Women in STEM program in Monteverde, students are tasked with applying STEM on a local level. Grouped by interest and collaborating closely with local businesses... keep reading
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When Can My Teen Book Their Flight for High School Summer Abroad?
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to current high school Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- Program not open to male-identifying students.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
- This program involves engaging in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities, such as hiking, and extended observational time outdoors.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $4,950 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $4,950 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and 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...
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
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