CJC Explorers: Spring break in costa rica
CJC Explorers is an international environmental journalism experience giving students the opportunity to report on sustainable tourism spring semester with a week on the ground in Costa Rica, March 15-22, 2025. We need writers, photographers, videographers, data analysts, artists, web editors, campaign experts and YOU.
Join us for an information session on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the AHA! Lab.
About the Program
The program includes pre-reporting; field-based instruction; special conservation photography workshops; and contributions to a published project.
We’ll fly into Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) in San José on Saturday March 15th and spend UF’s Spring Break week traveling north/northwest to report on environment-based development and ecotourism. We’ll visit farms, research stations and national parks, and meet with local journalists, scientists, tourism leaders and citizens.
Students will report on sustainable agriculture in Sarapiqui; interview scientists at La Selva Biological Station; explore the hot springs of Los Lagos and volcano at Arenal National Park; and visit Monteverde Reserve to experience the renowned canopy walkways. Students will have a free day and evening in Monteverde for additional reporting or optional excursions ranging from rainforest hikes to a guided chocolate, sugarcane and coffee tour.
Your Professors
Environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett and conservation photographer and filmmaker Dr. Gabby Salazar.
Costs
Undergraduate program fee: $2,961
Graduate student program fee: $2,979
Explorers must take both the 1-credit UF in Costa Rica study abroad course and a 2-credit spring International Environmental Reporting course. Together, the courses are aimed at preparing students for international reporting by helping them learn more about global environmental issues; report on those issues with depth and cross-cultural competency; and publish clear, compelling stories that help audiences understand the world.
Students will complete the course having contributed to a published project on sustainable tourism, leveraging Costa Rica’s global leadership in sustainable- and eco-tourism to explore solutions to the negative impacts wrought by tourism in Florida and worldwide as traveler numbers reach nearly 2 billion a year globally.
Requirements
- Students in good standing and with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
- Open to all majors. Priority to CJC students.
- Preferred prerequisites: Environmental Journalism; Science Journalism; Multimedia Reporting; or another advanced reporting course in the College of Journalism and Communications. Other majors should show some previous experience in reporting/writing; photography; videography; web editing; or sustainability-related coursework/campaigns.
