Participants visit sugar mills, coffee plantations, and dairy farms and speak with local farmers. The course includes a lecture and field trip each Friday. Opportunities are provided to learn about historical, political, and social factors influencing land use in Central America. Classroom instruction in Spanish language is designed to accommodate all levels of proficiency. In addition, students are involved in experiencias under the guidance of the course instructor, researching and reporting on particular topics, usually by interviewing Spanish speaking residents of the region.
Participants have two hours of language instruction twice a week.
With the guidance of the research faculty, each student conducts an independent field research project of his or her own design. Students spend a minimum of two mornings a week and part of each weekend working on their projects and meet with advisors throughout the program. At the end of the program they give oral presentations and turn in written reports on their work. The Tropical Biology and Independent Study courses are taught by faculty from U.S. universities who have doctoral degrees in biology and experiences in the neotropics. Guest lecturers are invited to discuss their areas of expertise.