CJC Explorers: Spring break in costa rica
The application period for this study abroad program is now closed.
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.
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.
