York University students are stepping out of the traditional classroom to experience the principles of sustainability and ecology first-hand at the University’s Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica.

This summer, 25 students in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) had the opportunity to visit the EcoCampus, located within the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor in southern Costa Rica, as part of an experiential education opportunity.

Supported by the Fisher Fund for Neotropical Conservation, the EcoCampus aims to safeguard the biological, cultural and social values of the communities living in the area.

According to Ana Martinez, associate director of the Las Nubes EcoCampus, the program has had a profound impact on its participants, as it fosters both personal and academic growth.

“Many students find – or even redefine – their passion and drive through experiences enriched by deep cultural and natural immersion, gaining new perspectives on the interplay between the environment, culture and social issues,” said Martinez. “For some, the experience is transformative on a personal level, pushing them out of their comfort zones and instilling a sense of confidence and appreciation for new cultures.”

Several courses are offered as part of the Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica – Environmental Psychology, Global Eco-Arts Residency, Protected Area Management, Educating for a Sustainable Future and more – for both undergraduate and graduate students. The courses have condensed timelines, with summer courses completed in 10 days and fall/winter courses in nine days. Students can opt to take one course for a shorter trip, or back-to-back courses for a longer stay.

Timothy Ong, a fourth-year student in the Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM) program, describes a typical day studying in Costa Rica as beginning with a prepared breakfast from his homestay parents and getting picked up by a shuttle bus around 8 a.m. to head to his first activity of the day – which could be a hike, a visit to the farm or a trip to the EcoCampus. After an activity and lunch, students head to the EcoCampus for lectures until 5 or 6 p.m., when the bus drives everyone back to their respective homestays.

“In the context of Costa Rica as an international reference for conservation and sustainable development, we explore a number of initiatives that attempt to achieve the ideals of conservation, development and well-being,” said Felipe Montoya, an EUC professor and the director of Las Nubes, who teaches a course called Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Well-being. “With the analysis of each case, we try to gain a greater understanding of the possibilities and obstacles for achieving these goals in and beyond Costa Rica.”

Students taking Montoya’s course will take part in hiking activities, allowing them to observe natural ecosystems that have evolved away from urban areas and learn about the theory and principles of ecology as they apply to sustainable development in a tropical environment.

Paula Kaston, a fourth-year SEM student, chose to go to Las Nubes because she wanted to witness how the different programs – agroecology, sustainability, Indigenous issues, etc. – are implemented.

“My favourite experience was when we went to the diversification farm,” she said, “because [the instructor demonstrated] so many different ways to be successful in maintaining a sustainable agroecological system.”

As a mature SEM student who will be starting a master in environmental studies next year, Kaston said this experience has given her hope that a sustainable future is possible: “It made me feel like there are a lot of people who are on the ground – feet on the ground, hands in soil – making sustainability accessible.”

Courses offered in the Las Nubes EcoCampus have no prerequisites and are open as electives to all third- and fourth-year undergraduate students and graduate students.

For more information about courses at York University’s Las Nubes EcoCampus, who is eligible and how to register, visit the Las Nubes Project website.