Description

This program explores the challenges that Latin American countries face to secure the sustainability of their development. The concept of sustainability adopted for this program is multidimensional, and the relationships of the non-environmental dimensions (i.e., economic, social, political and cultural) to the environment are analyzed. The spatial aspect of development is also studied, as well as the impact of tourism on conservation and local development. The use of case studies, policy discussion and field trips enable students to assess the efforts carried out by different stakeholders in the quest for sustainability and development in Latin America.

The program consists of 4 topical courses and a Spanish language course plus two optional courses taught 100% in Spanish to choose from: Latinoamerica a traves del cine & Literatura Centroamericana.

The 4 topical courses are:
- Human Development and Society in Latin America
- Current Environmental Issues in Latin America
- Rural and Urban Sustainable Development: Global and Local Perspectives
- Sustainable Tourism and Local Development

Homestays are one of the most important parts of a student's experience, facilitating immersion in and adaptation to the new culture and language, and helping students to integrate into local society. In order to assure students will have a great experience with their host families, ICDS has a Homestay Coordinator with a great deal of experience in the selection of host families and the placement of students with an appropriate host family, according to what the student has indicated as his/her preferences in the housing application.

ICDS also offers many service-learning, volunteer, internship and research opportunities to give ICDS students the chance to put into practice what they learn in the classroom and to use their Spanish skills, to be involved with leading practitioners in the field, and to contribute to the efforts for sustainable human development in Costa Rica. To learn more about these opportunities, please download the attached PDF.

ICDS student services include on-site orientation, arrival and departure transportation, a counselor on staff, assistance with student visas, healthcare recommendations, a PO box mailing address, and full student services at Universidad Latina, where classes are held, including access to computer labs and a ULatina student ID. ICDS is a very small organization and is therefore able to provide students with personalized attention for anything that comes up!