Energy issues and study abroad experience in Costa Rica

Abstract

James Madison University's (JMU's) summer Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica was designed for students from JMU's unique Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) program to study alongside students from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). This program provided many educational benefits for all involved including understanding the fundamentals of energy, its uses and resources, exposure to international energy technologies, experience and understanding associated with living and working in an international setting; and applied, interdisciplinary course experience that integrates the technical, social, and economic dimensions of an international setting. Seven students from each of the institutions were taught by a team of interuniversity faculty and learned via immersion about Costa Rican culture, history, geography, language and political affairs. Each JMU student was hosted by a Costa Rican family and the course included hands-on field trips to operational renewable energy projects and installations in the region. This paper contains an overview of the technical and cultural topics taught, the logistics involved in preparing for and implementing the program, along with a discussion of the facets of the program that were successful and those which are under developed. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.