Lehigh University
AC-5: Immersive Experience

The Lehigh in Costa Rica Program has operated study abroad courses for over 17 years. The close association developed between Lehigh’s faculty and a variety of Costa Rican NGOs (non-government organizations) has allowed us to expand our program to include two new initiatives: 1) A 7-week summer internship program, and 2) A summer environmentally-oriented “summer serve” project. The goal of program is to augment classroom education currently available to students in environmental science or environmental studies with practical on-the-ground experience in sustainable development projects. Students will work on projects related to conservation, particularly in the area of building and/or maintaining biological corridors. The sustainability and integrity of Costa Rica’s environment is crucial to the ecotourism strategy of sustainable development for which Costa Rica is well known. These programs are designed to address the following educational goals: - Allow students who lack the time or financial resources for a semester-long study abroad program to participate in international learning experiences. -Create international opportunities specifically tailored to students with an academic background or general interest in the environment and/or international development. -Demonstrate the inherent interdisciplinary character of “sustainable development” studies by emphasizing the connections among environmental conservation, economic development, and social/economic equity. -Provide students with an appreciation for the environmental aspects of sustainable development in rural Latin America and expose students to issues related to conservation and preservation of biotic and ecosystem diversity. -Expose students to Latin American culture and reinforce Lehigh’s connection with various NGOs in Costa Rica.