York University’s eco-campus in Costa Rica, Las Nubes, provides learning and experiential education opportunities centred around the protection of the biological, ecological, and social values of the Las Nubes Biological Reserve and adjacent area in southern Costa Rica. Global health courses and programs in Costa Rica allow students to explore the country’s rich, complex history and social landscape while earning credits towards their degree.
The School of Global Health offers a 10-day intensive field course experience each summer through the Study Abroad Program. Some of our offerings are as follows:
- Coming Summer 2023 – Promoting Global Health in Costa Rica - GH 4000
Taught by Dr. Amrita Daftary, students can examine root causes of global health disparities through a Costa Rican lens and explore ways in which health promotion principles propose approaches to achieving health for all. Course theories will be brought to life through field trips to hosting urban, rural, and indigenous communities and where parallels with other global health settings and challenges will acquaint students with the power of community resilience, respect, and principles of global allyship.
- Summer 2022 – Social Determinants of Health in Costa Rica – IHST 4000
Taught by Dr. Mathieu Poirier, this course includes an extensive engagement with local communities, including a guided tour through the capital city (San José), conversations with local coffee growers and other farmers, school teachers, nurses, traditional healers, environmental health experts, and a visit to Boruca Indigenous territory.
Other Experiential Opportunities in Costa Rica:
The Grounded Project combines ethnographic research with documentary film making to bring awareness to issues concerning environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, health, and human well-being in Costa Rica. Senior level students in global health can engage in the process of participatory of documentary filmmaking, amplifying community voice and creating and mobilize knowledge about complex issues revealed through Grounded Theory approach. Global health practicum and research projects are open to interested students during the winter term.
"Sharing the Grounded films with communities has given me the opportunity to feel like I am really doing something to address these challenging issues in a positive and impactful way" – Lauren Doud, Global Health Student, 2023.
