Program

Over spring break 2027, students take General or Organic Chemistry Beyond the Classroom—All the Way to Costa Rica.

What if your next chemistry lab was not in a classroom, but in a tropical rainforest, on a coffee farm, or near a volcanic hot spring? Join us in Costa Rica for an unforgettable study abroad experience that brings General and Organic Chemistry to life. Instead of simply learning about chemistry from a textbook, you will see it happening all around you—and get hands-on experience applying what you have learned.

• Put Chemistry to Work - Conduct hands-on water and soil analyses in Costa Rica's tropical environments and develop practical laboratory and field-research skills.
• Discover the Chemistry of Coffee & Cacao - Visit local farms and explore the fascinating chemistry behind coffee production and cacao fermentation, connecting everyday products to the chemical processes that create them.
• Explore Volcanic Chemistry - Investigate geothermal activity while visiting Costa Rica's volcanic hot springs and discover how chemistry helps us understand Earth's natural processes.
• Connect Chemistry to Sustainability - Work with the University of Veritas and local research sites to see how chemistry is used to address real-world environmental challenges, including water quality, soil health, and sustainability.
• Experience Costa Rica - Outside the classroom and laboratory, experience Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity, landscapes, culture, and communities while studying alongside other Broward College students.

By the end of the program, students will have more than a stronger understanding of General Chemistry. They will have real-world experience, new laboratory skills, and a firsthand look at how chemistry can help solve some of the world's most important environmental challenges.

Do not just study chemistry. Experience it.

Location

San Jose

Located in Costa Rica's lush Central Valley, San José is a city where history, culture, food, and adventure come together. Sitting about 3,770 feet above sea level, the capital enjoys a comfortable climate and is surrounded by green mountains and volcanoes.

San José is a great city to explore on foot, with colorful markets, cafés, restaurants, theaters, museums, parks, and historic buildings around the downtown area. Visit the bustling Central Market to experience local food and everyday Costa Rican life, or explore the National Theater, an architectural landmark built in the late 1800s during Costa Rica's coffee boom.

The city also has a fascinating mix of old and new. You can walk past historic European-inspired architecture, check out the National Museum and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, grab a coffee at a local café, and then experience San José's contemporary restaurants, arts, and nightlife—all within the same city.

And perhaps the best part? San José puts adventure right outside your door. The capital is a gateway to Costa Rica's famous volcanoes, coffee-growing regions, forests, and other natural attractions, making it easy to turn a weekend into an unforgettable adventure.