Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Research and Engagement
  3. Study Away
  4. Past Programs
Costa Rica

Environment and Culture: Costa Rica

May 8–16, 2019

Program Description

This 9 day program will have students learn about the environment, culture and language of the "Rich Coast." At its heart, Costa Rica boasts an epic landscape that is home to nearly 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Discover how fragile these endangered ecosystems are as you travel through different rainforest preserves and unearth dazzling displays of color and sound.

Students of Spanish will practice the language of the Ticos, the name used to refer to the people of Costa Rica. All abilities in Spanish are welcome on this trip, including students who are not familiar with the language. Chances are high that exposure to the beauty and simplicity of the “Pura Vida” lifestyle in Costa Rica will encourage return trips and further language study!

Academic Requirements

Students will be responsible for the following:

  • GPA of 2.5 or greater
  • AG 297 or SPAN 297 - 0.5 credit - Spring 2019 AND 0.5 credit - Summer 2019
    • Satisfactory completion of study abroad orientation, preparatory meetings, and travel in Costa Rica

Program Costs

Program Costs Include:

  • Airfare to/from Pittsburgh and Costa Rica
  • In-country transportation
  • All meals while abroad in Costa Rica
  • Tour of the following sites:
    • Poás Volcano
    • Arenal hot springs
    • Boat tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
    • La Fortuna Waterfall
    • Santa Elena Cloud Forest
    • Experience a canopy adventure including zip lining
    • Central Pacific Coast
    • Rainforest adventures
    • Manuel Antoio National Park
    • Coffee plantation

Other Expenses

  • $135 -Passport
  • $150 - Immunizations
  • $150 - Personal expenses
  • ~$500 – 0.5 credit *
    * You will be registered in Maymester for .5 credits. Cost dependent on your semester standing and number of credits accrued.

Program costs vary depending on time of enrollment. See Education First website for details.

Registration Process

Register by Feburary 1

  • Education First (EF) College Study Tours
  • Study Abroad Office
    • A limited number of participants will be accepted.
    • Your judicial and academic records will be checked as a part of the registration process

Other Deadlines

  • November - register Spring 2019 for AG 297 or SPAN 297 course
  • February 1 – Complete Global Programs CANVAS Pre-Departure requirement
    Complete Travel Safety Network on-line requirements

Program Leaders

Kitty Mussett
Assistant Teaching Professor, Spanish
Kitty Mussett received her AB in Spanish from Davidson College (1991) and her MA in Hispanic Language and Literature from the Pennsylvania State University in 1994. She serves as the Coordinator for World Languages at Penn State Altoona as well as the Liberal Arts College contact representative. She is the 2013 recipient of the Grace D. Long Award for Academic Excellence. This will be Prof. Mussett's second opportunity leading a student group to Costa Rica.
Contact: [email protected] | 814-949-5211.

Gail Good
Assistant Teaching Professor, Agriculture
Gail Good holds a BS in agriculture and MPS in adult education from Cornell University. She teaches agriculture courses, serves as the College of Agricultural Sciences contact representative, provides academic advising for agriculture students and serves as a co-adviser for the Penn State Altoona Ag Club and Collegiate FFA. Prof Good has accompanied students on numerous occasions travelling to Germany, France, Greece and Mexico.
Contact: [email protected] | 814-949-5506.

Study Away

  • Upcoming Programs
    • Alternative Spring Break: Community Collaborations International (CCI) Puerto Rico Project
    • Environment and Culture in Costa Rica
    • London Calling: Ordering the World
  • Past Programs
    • Agriculture in Guanajuato, Mexico
    • Bolivia Spring Break Trip
    • Environment and Culture: Costa Rica
    • Hope Partners Costa Rica
    • Intercultural Studies in Ecuador
    • Ireland: Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship
    • Maymester in Mexico
    • Motorheads: Engineering Program in Southern Germany
    • Paris and The Châteaux
    • Penn State Altoona Nursing Program in Cuba
    • Vienna and FH St. Poelten
    • Women's Soccer in Costa Rica
  • Study Away Grants and Scholarships

Study Away

Beth Seymour
Study Away Coordinator
125E Eiche Library
814-949-5335
[email protected]

Victoria Hesser
Program Assistant
125D Eiche Library
814-949-5212
[email protected]

Study Away Grants and Scholarships
Find Out More
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • College Leadership
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State