Eco Lens on Costa Rica
Sociology and Photography
with a case study on Costa Rica
Spring 2020: Costa Rica
Students and faculty in the course will travel to Costa Rica during our March break for a unique opportunity to put theory into practice. There, we will document our journey visually and verbally, as well as live in the culture as a community. Students will learn about Costa Rican ecology, history, and politics. The $1,200 course fee will cover roundtrip airfare, lodging and some other expenses in Mexico. Each student is requested to bring $350 for any additional travel expenses.
Why the Costa Rica?
This UMA Travel Course is meant to explore interdisciplinary ties between the arts and social sciences, and utilizes the friendly relationship between the US and Costa Rica to provide a relevant, contemporary, and worldly backdrop against which to apply photographic as well as sociological concepts and theories.
Costa Rica is considered one of the most ecologically conscious countries on the planet: number 5 in the world, in fact [1].
It’s also considered one of the top eco-tourism destinations in the world, with about 5% of the world’s biodiversity (even though it is only about .03% of the Earth’s total landmass) [2]
Costa Rica has been a world leader in conservation policies with protected areas that encompass over 25 percent of its total landmass - the highest in the world. [4] This makes Costa Rica an ideal location to study the interplay between culture and eco-tourism, both photographically as well as sociologically.
One of the hallmarks of Costa Rican culture is the notion of “Pura Vida”. For Costa Ricans (Ticos or Ticas), Pura Vida means enjoying life no matter what your circumstances; it’s a simple appreciation of life and the realization that life is what you make of it. And if social science research is correct, this Pura Vida approach to life is beneficial. Not only does the World Database of Happiness rank Costa Rica as the #1 happiest nation on Earth, but Costa Rica also has one of the longest life expectancies of any country. [3]
​
REFERENCES
[1]Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. "2010 EPI Rankings".
[2] https://www.anywhere.com/flora-fauna
[3] Veenhoven, R., World Database of Happiness, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. http://worlddatabaseofhappiness.eur.nl
[4] World Bank (2013) World development indicators. Available at databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=world-development-indicators
​
​
​
Costa Rica
Day by Day Draft Itinerary
Revised 8-day schedule will be uploaded
by November 15th based on the below:
​
Day 1 - MARCH 13 Dep. Logan @ 5 AM. Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica- travel 3 hrs to Manuel Antonio - check in to hotel - Dinner together - explore the town at night
Day 2 - MARCH 14 Morning hike in Manuel Antonio National Park and afternoon horseback riding or exploring eco reserve. Dinner provided for group.
Day 3- - MARCH 15 The morning is open for student to explore and work on their research projects in the Manuel Antonio National Park area. Afternoon student boat/snorkel trip with dinner provided.
Day 4- MARCH 16 - Morning in Manuel Antionio with 3.5 hour mid-morning bus trip to Monteverde. Dinner at the Monteverde Inn.
Day 5+6 - MARCH 17-19 - Students will have morning tours and lectures with afternoon events.
Day 6 - MARCH 19 - Afternoon bus ride to San Jose
Day 7 - MARCH 20 - Touring the city of San Jose.
Day 8 - MARCH 20 - flight home
​
About Hotel Accomodations
Transportation will be provided with 18 passenger bus, housing, activities, and some meals are included. There is a chance for co-ed housing as hotel rooms are for two students.
​
Hotel One Manuel Antonio:
​
Hotel Two Monteverde Cloud Forest:
https://www.monteverdeinncr.com/
​
​
Reading List
​
Kaiser, James. 2018. Costa Rica: The Complete Guide: Ecotourism in Costa Rica, 3rd
Edition. Chicago, IL: Destination Press. ISBN: 9781940754352
Griswold, Wendy. 2013. Cultures and Societies in a Changing World, 4th Edition.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. ISBN: 9781412990547
​
Helpful Links:
-
How to apply for a Passport [appoximately $110 in fees for Passport Book,
students must present UMA a copy of valid Passport by: Monday, February 3rd]:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html -
CDC advice for travelers to Costa Rica:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/costa-rica -
FODOR's Travel Guide:
https://www.fodors.com/news/tag/costa-rica -
WIKI travel to Costa Rica:
https://wikitravel.org/en/Costa_Rica -
Lonely Planet Guide to Costa Rica:
Costa Rica: Travel Code of Ethics
This is a cultural excursion associated with the University of Maine at Augusta, not a vacation. Students will have a full schedule of educational and cultural activities. Free time is limited, and during that time, consider yourself a cultural ambassador of UMA, contributing to responsible global citizenship. This includes the following:
-
Respect the local culture. Inform yourself about recent and current events.
Learn a few basic Spanish phrases, and know something of the country’s ethos. Costa Rica's lack of infrastructure may come as a surprise to some first-time travelers. Although Costa Rica’s climate is tropical, dress with respect to the locals. Shorts and tank tops are not generally worn in churches, museums, and other settings.
-
Respect your hosts – the people of Costa Rica
This includes respecting their diversity of experience, customs, views, and background, their expertise, and the time they have taken from their lives and schedules to share with you (punctuality being one sign of respect). Respect those of all walks of life, skin color, gender, and sexual orientation. Avoid any semblance of exploitation (e.g. ask permission before snapping pictures of individual people).
-
Respect the country’s natural resources, including reducing use fossil fuels and water.
Turn off the lights, air conditioner, and fans; be cognizant water use; and take a small bag along for trash in case a bin isn’t readily available.
-
Plan to be out of touch
When available, Internet is slow and expensive. Instead of spending time to connect back in the states, appreciate where you are. Write in your journal, write a letter. Phone calls to the USA should be placed only in the case of an emergency.
-
Understand evening etiquette
You will be on your own for dinners, and we ask that you always use a buddy system when away from the group. Monteverde and Manuel Antonio are safe areas, with thousands of tourists passing through each year, but pick pockets may target unsuspecting visitors. At night we will have a sign-in at the hotel front desk so we can be sure everyone is home safely after dinner (by 11:00 p.m.).
-
Do Not Engage in Risky Behavior
The drinking age in Maine is 21, and we honor that legality while traveling. Illegal substances in Maine are also illegal in Mexico, and the consequences for using such substances are dire. Excessive drinking, or participating in any risky behavior is significantly more dangerous where there is a linguistic and cultural barrier.
-
Participate Fully
Our days are packed with events, and you are expected to participate. Be rested, so you can be fresh from breakfast until later in the day. Staying healthy and well-rested is key to a successful trip of this intensity. If you have any problems, we will post a designated faculty to whom you can report any issues.
Other Issues:
1. Pack with care. Pharmacies and convenience stores are few and far between, so make sure to bring in necessary toiletries, sunscreen, and medicines. Snacks like granola bars can also come in handy.
2. Plan your currency. Credit and debit/ATM cards work there. You can change your U.S. dollars into Costa Rican colóns at banks and ATMs.
3. Drink bottled water, even in higher-end hotels. Public restrooms may not be as clean as you are accustomed to; carry toilet paper, (don't flush it; that's what the small trash cans in stalls are for), and hand sanitizer.
​