Education Abroad
Education is at the heart of the MVI’s mission and plays a key role in our vision of a sustainable future.  By exposing students to the environmental, social, and political realities of local communities in the Monteverde zone and other parts of Costa Rica, we generate discussion, dialogue and action on complex issues related to sustainable living and development. A sustainable future depends on global citizens who have a broad perspective and who know the value of listening, observing, critical thinking and questioning. These are the values and skills we strive to instill through our unique approach to education.

Underlying our programs is the notion that the planet's future depends on responsible and informed decisions by its inhabitants.  We draw on a pool of local and international faculty who range from university-trained professionals to self-taught experts, all of whom speak from a personal as well as an academic perspective on complex themes related to sustainability and community development.

MVI’s focus is strongly interdisciplinary. Specific course themes include tropical ecology and conservation, community health, sustainable design and planning, environmental education and sustainable development. Many programs include service learning as a key component. While each program is tailored to the interests of our partner institutions, all share the same characteristic of drawing on the rich experiences of Monteverde and Costa Rica, while at the same time connect them to larger global issues.

2008 Education Abroad Courses
MVI runs approximately 25 education abroad courses with partners such as the University of California Education Abroad Program, the University of South Florida, Boston College, the University of Missouri, and many others. Some programs, such as Sustainable Futures and the Globalization and Health Field School are open to all students for college credit.

If your institution is interested in developing an educational program with MVI, here's how...

Our 2008 calendar includes some of the following courses:

January 21-28: IFSA-Butler College

February 16-23: IFSA-Butler College

February 25-March 17: Evergreen State College, Tropical Biology and Conservation in the Costa Rica

March 8-16: Skidmore College, Tropical Field Ecology

March 9-23: Antioch New England Graduate School, Conservation Biology

March 29-June 9: University of California EAP, Tropical Ecology and Conservation

March 20-29: Honesdale High School, Tropical Rainforests

May 12-23: Rollins College, International Issues in Community Health

May 17-June 1: Ball State University, Sustainable Development

May 21-June 5: Cultural Studies Abroad, Tropical Ecology

May 26-August 4: Sustainable Futures OPEN COURSE

June 7-July 5: University of Missouri, Human Dimensions of Sustainability

June 2008: Oak Park and River Forest High School, Tropical Biology and Sustainable Development

June 12-23: Ball State University, Tropical Biodiversity

June 22-July 27: University of South Florida, Globalization and Health Field School OPEN COURSE

July 27-August 11: Bank Street College School of Education, Environmental Education

August 1-22: Central Connecticut State University

August 1-22: Boston College, International Law, Politics, and Sustainable Development

October 3-December 17: University of California EAP, Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Forms. If you are participating on an MVI course or are just interested in seeing the details, please refer to the following documents:

Orientation Handbook

Participant Information Form

Packing List

Participant Contract