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Program Closed
Course and Travel Dates: July 14 – 27, 2025
Students have the opportunity to work directly with animals under the guidance of experienced professionals, honing their skills in animal care and medical procedures. Beyond the classroom, we will embark on excursions to explore the diverse ecosystems and stunning landscapes of Costa Rica, including visits to beautiful spots such as lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant wildlife reserves.
You will visit renowned national parks such as Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast. These visits offer firsthand encounters with Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity,including diverse flora and fauna, while also providing insights into conservation efforts and ecosystem management.
Think you can’t afford to study abroad? Scholarships and other ways to fund your study abroad program are available. Explore scholarship options now.
Available course – Students will be enrolled in the course listed below for summer 2025 in order to be able to participate.
Note: Students must confirm with an academic advisor that they meet all college enrollment requirements AND course prerequisites to be eligible to enroll in the course listed. Once accepted into the program, students will be notified of the Course Number and enrollment dates/deadlines.
Students receiving financial aid must confirm with a financial aid advisor whether their study abroad course will be covered by financial aid.
ATE 2947 – Veterinary Technology Practicum Work Experience V – 1 credit
Professor: Nikki Riggs
After you submit the application online, we will review it and an automatic email will be sent to your college email with details of your next steps, including scheduling your interview with the Costa Rica program lead faculty. Contact Nikki Riggs (727)302-6744 , with any specific questions about the program.
Other SPC Study Abroad trips
Learn more about other Study Abroad countries where SPC students have made their mark.
Student Travel Blog – For a taste of what it’s like to study abroad, or to follow our students as they travel, read posts from the Study Abroad blog below.
The study abroad trip to different locations of Costa Rica was one of the best experiences to see and experience. I am beyond excited to have that on my resume between working super hard with different weather environments, whether it was raining or 100% humidity. I quite enjoyed the learning of different animals and having … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: I would recommend this study abroad!
Traveling throughout Costa Rica with the SPC Vet Tech group was an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish. The program did a fantastic job of balancing our two-week stay with hands-on volunteer work and excursions that fully immersed us in the local culture. Our travel from place to place was made seamless thanks to … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: My expectations for this trip were exceeded in every way.
Two weeks flew by in the breathtaking landscapes of Costa Rica—far too short a time to take in all its beauty and biodiversity. During my journey, I had the privilege of visiting four unique animal sanctuaries, each dedicated to protecting, preserving, and rehabilitating wildlife. In this post, I’ll share what I learned about the challenges … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: The Journey
This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to spend two weeks abroad in Costa Rica. The focus of the trip was wildlife medicine and conservation, and I had the most amazing time! I have a B.S. in wildlife ecology and conservation that I earned before starting the vet tech program, so it was a dream … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: I will never forget!
Spending two weeks in Costa Rica was nothing short of life-changing. Each day brought a new adventure, hiking through national parks, relaxing at the hot springs near the Arenal volcano, visiting the stunning beach at Manuel Antonio, and watching the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Being surrounded by all these ecosystems deepened my understanding of … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: I left with new friends, unforgettable memories, and a clearer sense of purpose.
This was my first study abroad trip, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Since I’m an online student, I didn’t know anyone else going on this trip. That made me feel a little nervous. When we got to Costa Rica, there was definitely some culture shock. I’ve never been to another country where … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it!
The time I spent in Costa Rica was so significant and breathtaking that I will never forget it. Before even the study abroad officially started, I am so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to explore the capital of San José. It allowed me to find a lot of real local wonders like local … Continue reading SPC Costa Rica: Significant and Breathtaking
Costa Rica, a country rich in history, tradition, and scenery. Never could I have imagined all the fun new experiences and learning I would do on this trip. The first few days in San Jose, we toured the city and visited local attractions such as Doka Coffee plantation, where we learned how the coffee bean … Continue reading SPC Vet Tech: Never could I have imagined…
Costa Rica was such an amazing country to visit either as a tourist or as a student. We had an an opportunity to work with a variety of species including, sloths, spider monkeys, capuchins, marmosets, squirrel monkeys, kinkajous, scarlet macaws, blue and gold macaws, hybrid macaws, amazons, turtles, ocelots, lesser horned owls, speckled owls, white … Continue reading SPC Study Abroad: Pura Vida!