Location:

Leon, Nicaragua

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Rolling Starts

Program Overview

Program Description:

TROPEC seeks to make its courses available to qualified participants from various economic and cultural backgrounds, particularity to persons from the countries where our courses take place. We thus aim to enroll a balanced number international and local students. The resulting socio-cultural exchange is a key ingredient in fostering relevant future applications of the knowledge gained.

Module 1: Daily excursions take participants through a maze of mangrove forest channels, to artisanal shrimp farms and salinas. Research methods are applied in field labs. The module gives an overview of coastal biodiversity, ecology, resource user conflicts, and the shaping socio-economic forces. Module 2: Participants study the fauna and flora of misty rainforests during excursions to isolated cultivation plots. Attention will be paid to fair trade, how it works and the implications for farmers and consumers. The module offers an overview of the biodiversity and ecology of rainforests, and a behind the scenes look at organic farming and fair trade in the tropics.