Location, Location, Location
Location is a major contributor to the authenticity of the Scholastica Field Studies. Students will stay at the field stations where professional ecology researchers stay to study the same diverse, thriving ecosystems that they study. These experiences give participants an accurate glimpse at what life would be like, should they pursue this field professionally or study abroad in the future.
La Selva Biological Station
La Selva Biological Station is the world’s premier site for conducting tropical ecology research and is owned and operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies. Research at La Selva has resulted in the publication of more than 1,600 scientific articles, theses, and books and perhaps another 1,000 write-ups of course projects. Over 300 professional scientists conduct research at La Selva each year!
La Selva is situated at the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica and is comprised of 3,900 acres of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages over 13 feet of rainfall that is spread rather evenly throughout the year. La Selva is home to 2,077 species of plants, 469 species of birds, 125 species of mammals, 48 species of amphibians, 87 species of reptiles, 45 species of fish, and 3500+ species of arthropods.
La Selva is a full-service research facility with residential areas, laboratory, classrooms, library, dining hall, and miles and miles of hiking trails.
University of Georgia Costa Rica
University of Georgia Costa Rica is a 160-acre campus located in the mountainous cloud forest region of Costa Rica. The UGA Costa Rica campus borders the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, one of the most famous protected forest areas in the country due to its high levels of biodiversity, especially of birds and orchids. This is a full-service education and research facility, with student and faculty residential areas, classrooms, wet laboratory, library and internet facility, kitchen and dining hall, student union, and hiking trails. UGA also features the San Luis Botanical Garden which is established and directed by the curator of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. There are also horse stables and an organic farming operation. Check out the ongoing research being conducted at this field station.
Courtyard Marriot San Jose Escazu
Courtyard Marriot San Jose Escazu will be our home base for our brief stay in the Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose.
