bhcc-costarica.info

What It Is

bhcc-costarica.info presents Bunker Hill Community College’s sponsored “Tropical Field Studies in Costa Rica” study abroad program. The program runs for 12 days and 11 nights, with its destination on the Osa Peninsula on Costa Rica’s southwest coast. Accommodation is mainly at Proyecto Campanario Biological Field Station and Nature Reserve. This is not a standard travel package, but a field-based course connected to BHCC’s ENV120 course and credit-bearing study.

Core Curriculum and Experience

The program focuses on tropical ecology and biodiversity. Through field research, lectures, daily discussions, and project activities, students study ecosystems such as mangroves, lowland rainforest, coastal tide pools, and coral reefs. Activities include hiking in Corcovado National Park, coral reef snorkeling, mangrove kayaking, night rainforest hikes, a forest ropes/cable car experience, and field research projects. The course also includes visits to a sustainable farm, an overnight stay with an Indigenous family, basic Spanish learning, and community service at an elementary school, giving it both ecological and cross-cultural educational value.

Faculty and Organization

The program is supported by the BHCC Biology & Chemistry Department and the BHCC International Center, with Prof. Scott Benjamin and Prof. Robert Steeper serving as faculty leaders. Local English-speaking Costa Rican naturalist guides and translators are also provided. Participants must attend three BHCC classroom sessions before departure and take part in all lectures, discussions, and activities during the trip.

Pricing

The official website lists an estimated total cost of $3025, including approximately $700 for round-trip airfare from Boston to San José, $50 for baggage fees, and $2275 for lodging, ground transportation, meals, and park fees in Costa Rica. Scholarships can cover 80% of the total cost, reducing the post-award cost to about $750, including BHCC credit-related tuition and fees. Personal items such as a passport and hiking boots are additional costs.

Pros and Cons

The main strengths are its highly practical nature, allowing students to learn in real tropical rainforest and coastal ecosystems; detailed FAQ coverage of safety, insurance, health, and lodging; and scholarships that significantly reduce the cost. Limitations include narrow eligibility, as the program is mainly for BHCC students and requires registration in ENV120; basic accommodation conditions, with no hot water at the field station and limited mobile signal; and a relatively demanding physical activity level, requiring the ability to hike continuously for 2 to 3 hours. In addition, some year-related information on the website appears to overlap between 2024 and 2025, so applicants should confirm details with the school before applying.

Who It’s For and Access from China

It is suitable for current BHCC students who are interested in ecology, environmental science, field research, and cross-cultural experiences, and who can adapt to hot, humid, and remote environments. It is not suitable for those who only want relaxed sightseeing, cannot accept basic accommodation, or have health conditions that make outdoor hiking unsuitable. Access from mainland China cannot be determined from the text alone, so it is marked as unknown.