Faculty Leader Development
in Costa Rica
Professional Development for Faculty-Led Study Abroad
November 2025 or January 2026
Program Summary
Learn best practices in leading study abroad programs, handling common challenges, and supporting student learning through hands-on experiences, immersed in the local culture, and in partnership with local community organizations. This program is designed for both faculty who have never led a study abroad program and those looking to improve programs they already lead. As you experience Costa Rica, you will gain skills in facilitating learning, selecting activities, managing risk, handing group dynamics, leading reflections, and engaging with local partners in a meaningful and equitable way . This program aims to provide faculty with the experience they need to confidently plan and facilitate future faculty-led programs anywhere in the world.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Liberia International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica
Program orientation and group dinner. Discussion on safety and risk management, physical and mental health and wellbeing during programs, and the variety of roles faculty need to play.
Small group exercise: health and safety scenario analysis
Welcome dinner
Lodging Location: Liberia
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2
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.
“Wow! I am in Costa Rica.” This “wow” moment is always a highlight of the trip for students traveling abroad.
Discussion: itinerary development and complementing educational activities with culturally immersive and environmentally sustainable recreation.
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
Learn about sustainable business practices
Discussion: ethical engagement of community partners and presentation of Fair Trade Learning standards from the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative
Group dinner at the hotel and time for additional discussion
Lodging Location: La Fortuna
Included Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3
Hanging Bridges eco tourism
Guided walk to see local flora and fauna up close
Exercise: risk assessment - learn a framework for evaluating risk and mitigating it
Finca Don Juan farm tour and locally sourced lunch
Visit a sustainable farm
Learn about locally grown products and farming practices with cacao and sugar cane
Faculty will compare traditional eco tourism in the morning, with community-based tourism in the afternoon
Workshop: leading the conversation and facilitating reflection and introspection. Guided reflection on impact of tourism and differences between sustainable and not sustainable models.
Independent dinner in La Fortuna
Faculty will experience what it’s like for students to identify restaurants on their own, with suggestions from their Learn From Travel guide
Lodging Location: La Fortuna
Included Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 4
Transfer to Liberia
Peer-to-peer exchange with faculty at National University of Liberia
Facilitated meetings: Faculty will interact with peers from similar academic backgrounds to discuss student exchange and research priorities.
Workshop: program planning. Faculty interested in developing a program will receive support from Learn from Travel staff in selecting a location, identifying local partners and activities of interest, and framing out an itinerary.
Farewell dinner
Lodging Location: Liberia
Included Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5
Departure from Liberia International Airport (LIR)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Details
Cost
$2,590 (min 10 participants)
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 in and out of Liberia International Airport
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. All rooms have AC and bathrooms with hot water.
Group Size:
10-15 faculty participants
Payment Process
We will invoice you:
$500 - non-refundable deposit due 90 days prior to departure
The balance amount is due 60 days prior to departure
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
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.
