Faculty Leader Development
in Costa Rica
Professional Development for Faculty-Led Study Abroad
November 2025 or January 2026
Program Summary
This week-long program in Costa Rica is designed to facilitate hands-on learning for faculty. This trip is gears towards faculty who are interested in beginning to host international education trips, or looking to build upon trips they already run. By experiencing a this program as a participant, faculty will gain understanding on group facilitation, itinerary development, activity selection, and peer-to-peer exchange in an international setting. This program aims to provide faculty with the experience they need to confidently plan and facilitate future faculty-led programs in Costa Rica or destinations around the world.
Program Host
Learn From Travel
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and transfer to lodging
Program orientation and group dinner (pending arrival times)
Lodging: San Jose
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Historic San Jose walking tour
Experience San Jose with a bilingual history buff
Peer-to-peer exchange with faculty from local university
Details of activity will depend on academic focus on our faculty participants
Welcome dinner
Lodging: San Jose
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3
Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal
Stay in the foothills of the Arenal Volcano and learn about Lake Arenal, expanded to built a hydroelectric plant in 1979
Nonprofit organization site visit
Meet leaders from a nonprofit organization and visit several project sites as well as a private waterfall managed by the nonprofit as an income stream
Lodging: La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4
Hanging Bridges eco tourism
Guided walk to see local flora and fauna up close
Finca Don Juan farm tour and locally sourced lunch
Visit a sustainable farm to learn about local products such as cacao and sugar cane
Independent dinner in La Fortuna
Lodging: La Fortuna
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 5
3-hour transfer to Liberia
Peer-to-peer exchange with faculty at National University of Liberia
Details of activity will depend on academic focus on our faculty participants
Transfer to Playa Potrero
Independent dinner in Playa Potrero
Lodging: Playa Potrero
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 6
Service learning at Las Baulas National Park
Beach clean up with interactive trash analysis
Free time
Reflection
Farewell dinner
Lodging: Playa Potrero
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7
Departure to LIR
Meals: Breakfast
Additional Details
Cost
$3,190*
Includes:
All ground transportation
All accommodation in mid-range hotels, single occupancy
Meals as listed in the itinerary including one non-alcoholic beverage per meal.
Activities as described in the itinerary including entrance fees
Guide and coordinator with the group the entire program, and available 24 hours for emergencies
Carbon offset for air travel
Excludes:
International airfare
Travel medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance
Travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption coverage
Activities and meals not described in itinerary
Lodging
Mid-range hotels. Single occupancy occupancy. All rooms have AC and bathrooms with hot water.
Group Size:
Approximately 10 faculty participants
Payment Process
$150 - non-refundable deposit per student is due to register
$500 - 2nd non-refundable deposit is due December 8, 2024
$2,540 - The balance amount is due January 8, 2025
The balance can be paid in installments monthly or otherwise, but the total amount must be paid at the latest 2 months prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
More than 90 days prior to departure: Refund excludes $150 deposit
61-90 days prior to departure - Refund excludes $650 deposit
60-31 days prior to departure - 50% of program fee refunded
30 of fewer days prior to departure - 0% refund
We recommend all participants to purchase travel insurance with cancellation coverage.
