JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad 2014- Academics, Lecture & Field Work

JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad 2014- 

Academics, Lecture & Field Work 

Students enrolled in the JWU Costa Rica Study Abroad Program are completing (if they pass) 13.5 academic credits. The students complete pre-departure assignments as well as assignments and projects in Costa Rica.  Students work 50-60 hours on program related class time, activities and projects. 

Academic Focus: Eco, Nature-based, Adventure, and Sustainable Tourism
Satisfactory completion of the Costa Rica program fulfills all requirements for a concentration in Adventure, Sport and Nature Based Tourism. This is a physically active and comprehensive program. 

This program fulfills the following 3 courses:

• TRVL3040 Adventure, Sport, & Nature Based Tourism 4.5 credits
• SEE2040 Outdoor Recreation Planning 4.5 credits
• TRVL3020 Ecotourism 4.5 credits

JWU Faculty are the academic leadership for this program. They coordinate pre-departure information, travel with the group, and deliver academic content in conjunction with host faculty.  Along with myself (Professor Stuchel) I am accompanied by Dr. Eldad Boker.

Sustainable Tourism, Eco Tourism Local Experts- In addition to the JWU faculty Carlos Roberto Chavarria of Costa Rica Rainforest Experience and Ricardo Howell enrich the course material with the history, economy, social norms of Costa Rica as well as providing in-depth knowledge of Sustainable Tourism/Eco Tourism & Sports Adventure Tourism within Costa Rica.

Field Projects- The students are given four choices for their field work project when they arrive at Tirimbina Biological Reserve in the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica.  Students are able to pick the project they feel is most aligned with their personal preference or educational outcomes.

• Tirmibina Biological Reserve Hiking Trail Sustainability Study and Rain Forest Camera Study and the Impact of Visitors on the Hiking Trails
• Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST) Evaluation and Study of the Sarapiqui Area Hotels.  What Are the Costs and Return on Investment
• Sarapiqui Area Small Business Development and the Relationship to Sustainable Eco Tourism

Guest Speakers- In addition guest speakers are brought in to the classroom to enrich the academic material.

Costa Rica Study Abroad Day 6-TOURISM, WHAT MEANS FOR THE WORLD AND COSTA RICA

Day 6

Day six started out with beans and rice, fried eggs and fried plantains for breakfast followed by out lecture by Carlos Chavarria, .  The topic today was tourism from a global and Costa Rican aspect.

Costa Rica's top Gross Domestic Products:

1. Technology
2. Tourism
3. Pineapples 
4. Bananas
5. Medical Products

Sustainable Tourism: The development of sustainable tourism must be seen as the balanced interaction between the use of our natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life among the local communities, and the economic success of the industry, which also contributes to national development. Sustainable tourism is not only a response to demand, but also an imperative condition to successfully compete now and in the future. (Definition of Sustainable Tourism, CST, 1997) 

Community Rural Tourism “Tourist experiences planned and sustainably integrated to the rural environment and developed by local organization for the benefit of the community.” 

The concept of sustainability

• •  The development of sustainable tourism must be seen as the balanced interac-on between the use of our natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life among the local communi-es, and the economic success of the industry, which also contributes to na-onal development. Sustainable tourism is not only a response to demand, but also an impera-ve condi-on to successfully compete now and in the future. (Defini-on of Sustainable Tourism, CST, 1997)
  
  
• •  Sustainability, as a model of development, seeks to meet the current demands of society without compromising the rights of future genera-ons to meet theirs. That is to say, the development of the country cannot be based on the unbalanced exploita-on of resources (natural, cultural, social, etc.) to meet the demands of society (food, housing, health, employment) because these are the only resources we have, and that future genera-ons have, to meet our and their own needs. 

Myself and Professor Faria took a hike while the students were working on their projects.  Our hike took an hour and a half through many different eco systems.

I also go caught in a tropical downpour of rain,,,,, and took a short video

Video:  Caught in the Rainforest in the rain

Additional Photos https://www.facebook.com/douglas.stuchel/media_set?set=a.10200977984905568.1073741826.1044914656&type=3

Cost Rica Study Abroad Day 4-Tirimbina Rain Forest Center

Day Four-

At 9:00 am we departed Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero by boat for a one and a half hour journey back to the bus rendezvous location.  We then went by bus for another couple hours through Sarapiqui  until we arrived at our destination LaTirimbina Rainforest Center.  We spend the late afternoon and evening getting acclimated to our new home for the next two weeks.  We also played football (soccer) 
in an indoor football field

Tirimbina is an educational, scientific and ecotourism destination, situated between the forests and rivers of the northern region of Costa Rica.Tirimbina offers education programs for primary schools, high schools and university students, as well as facilities for study groups, volunteers and researchers, highlighting the biodiversity and conservation of the rainforest. Tirimbina's abundant forest provides great ecotourism activities. Come and explore the trails, discover its flora and fauna, walk on the suspension bridges or discover the secrets of cacao during the popular Chocolate Tour.

Here are two sloths we discovered along the way..

Additional Photos https://www.facebook.com/douglas.stuchel/media_set?set=a.10200977984905568.1073741826.1044914656&type=3