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ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES

STUDY ABROAD IN LATIN AMERICA

Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru are 3 of the most bio-diverse countries in the world and Maximo Nivel’s programs provide access to the amazing oceans, rainforests, and mountains of these countries. Environmental Science majors, and related disciplines, take part in international field work, and learn about conservation, eco-agriculture, and reforestation efforts through service learning, semester abroad, and customized programs.

Participants may schedule programs using the academic calendar or can take advantage of open enrollment internships and service learning programs, which begin every Monday year-round!

Our service learning projects in Latin America are directed by environmentalists, biologists, and other local professionals. Most projects serve rural communities and students work alongside the local population to help lead sea turtle preservation, sustainable farming, and restoration of native plant species in the Amazon Jungle.

Customized programs include coursework in sustainability, social responsibility, and Spanish Language, combined with service learning programs focused on environmental issues. Educational tours to sites of both scientific and social interest and lectures by local scientists and environmental advocates help students learn about successful conservation strategies and models in Latin America.

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Maximo Nivel takes your academic success very seriously. We evaluate each student’s motivation for the program and academic history. This helps to ensure a productive and successful cohort experience.

– At least 18 years of age
– Enrolled in Environmental Science or related
– Basic to Intermediate Spanish language skills
– Hard working, passionate, creative, and resourceful
– Minimum GPA 2.50

Fields of Study

– Agriculture
– Biology
– Conservation
– Ecology
– Environmental Science
– Plant Science

TERM DATES
Winter Term 2024-2025 06 January – 17 January
Spring Semester 2025 10 February – 16 May
Spring Term I 10 February – 28 February
Spring Term II 10 March – 28 March
Spring Term III 31 March – 18 April
Spring Term IV 28 April – 16 May
Summer Term 2025 02 June – 25 July
Summer Term I 02 June – 27 June
Summer Term II 30 June – 25 July
Fall Semester 2025 15 September – 19 December
Fall Term I 15 September – 03 October
Fall Term II 13 October – 31 October
Fall Term III 03 November – 21 November
Fall Term IV 01 December – 19 December
Winter Term 2025-2026 05 January – 16 January
FULL ACADEMIC CALENDAR

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Programs Antigua,
Guatemala		 Cusco,
Peru		 San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
Spring or Fall – Term I
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,975 – –
Spring or Fall – Term II
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,975 – –
Spring or Fall – Term III
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,095
Spring or Fall – Term IV
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,095
Winter Term
2 Weeks		 – – – $1,885
Summer Term I
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 –
Summer Term II
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 –
Country Jumper
(Spring or Fall)
14 Weeks		 $8,125

*Prices above are representative only. Final tuition costs vary based on itinerary, housing preferences, tours, and transportation.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Why I Maximo Nivel

The turtle conservatory is definitely hard work and pushed me both physically and mentally, but the reward of seeing a nest hatch or a mother turtle laying her eggs is definitely worth every minute of it. I learned a lot about turtles in my short time here and I think they will never cease to amaze me. I am really glad I chose this program and I hope I can return one day to see more turtles.
Andi H.

SERVICE LEARNING

SEA TURTLES, ECO-AGRICULTURE, & JUNGLE CONSERVATION

SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION
Central America is home to the Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Green sea turtles. Service learning students provide support to local biologists and researchers to help manage turtle nesting grounds. You take part in nightly beach patrols, tagging turtles, relocating nests into hatcheries, beach cleanup, and community outreach.

ECO-AGRICULTURE
Eco-agriculture participants work with sustainable coffee-farming communities helping local coffee growers and learning about sustainable coffee production. You participate in every step of coffee production—growing, harvesting, and processing. This includes working in the nursery, picking, weeding, planting shade trees, and even roasting and packaging.

AMAZON JUNGLE CONSERVATION
The Amazon Jungle Conservation program focuses on reforestation and replanting of native plant species to help restore the natural equilibrium of the Amazon’s ecosystems. You work with local professionals to advance these critical conservation efforts to slow the degradation of the world’s most important rainforest.

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Semester Abroad for Environmental Majors
Customized Study Abroad Programs for Environmental Majors

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS

Maximo Nivel organizes customized programs for faculty-led groups and student organizations who want a short-term educational experience in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru. These programs are usually 1 to 4 weeks long and consist of 3 main components:

I. Spanish Language
– SPA 101, 201, 201, 202, or higher level
– Guided Reflection Workshops

II. Service Learning
– Sea turtle conservation
– Sustainable farming
– Jungle reforestation

III. Educational Travel
– Archaeological sites
– Museums and cultural tours
– Traditional communities

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UNIVERSITY COURSES

SOC 301: Social Justice & Social Responsibility

SOC 301 aims to develop students’ knowledge of social justice issues in Latin America. The course focuses on indigenous rights, women’s empowerment, LGBTQ rights, as well as environmental issues, in the scope of Latin America’s economy, culture, history, religion, and politics. Students select a specific area of social justice and a specific country of focus for their final project. Through completion of the final project, students analyze social justice, development, and sustainability alongside both supportive and conflicting societal variables and interests.

SUS 301 introduces students to the theory, principles, and practices of sustainability using Latin America as a case study for wider global implications. The course includes discussions on maintaining ecological and environmental health, creating economic welfare, applying sustainable business practices, and ensuring social justice. In this course, students identify the key characteristics of human and natural systems as they pertain to sustainability and learn how they interact with one another, identify measurable collective and individual actions, and analyze sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Spanish 101 is a first-level language course designed for students who have not previously studied Spanish or those with a low-basic level. The course creates a foundation in grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills, with additional exercises in reading, writing, and listening while exploring Latin American culture. Course methodology is based on the communicative approach, emphasizing conversation in Spanish.

Spanish 102 is a continuation of Spanish 101. Students at this level have a very basic working knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language. The course builds upon the elementary grammar, vocabulary, and other language skills learned in Spanish 101. Course methodology is based on the communicative approach, emphasizing conversation in Spanish.

SPA 201 – Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202 – Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 301 – Spanish Composition I
SPA 302 – Spanish Composition II
SPA 350 – Latin American Literature
SPA 360 – Latin American Civilization & Culture
SPA 361 – Modern Day Latin America
SPA 370 – Medical Spanish
SPA 371 – Business Spanish
SPA 380 – Intercultural Communication
SPA 420 – Advanced Spanish Grammar
SPA 480 – Advanced Spanish Conversation
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University Courses for Enviromental Studies Majors
Schools of Records

EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

UNIVERSITY ABROAD

Academic credit is available for Maximo Nivel’s Study Abroad programs. Our programs can fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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