30 Carlson School Graduate and Senior Level Undergraduate students; classes will be a mix of INCAE and Carlson students
4 graduate elective credits. Grading is A-F basis. Please note this class is NOT a substitute for the Ethics core requirement.
This program is open to Carlson students in good academic standing, with a GPA of 3.0 at the time of application.The application process is competitive, and space is limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Costa Rica is a world leader in sustainable development and the promotion of ecologically sound tourism practices. Costa Rica is recognized for its cultural and historical traditions of peace, democracy and education. Over 25% of Costa Rica’s land is held in protected forests and reserves which contain 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
Instituto Centroamericano de Administración de Empresas (INCAE) is the top MBA program in the Latin American region, and emphasizes research and innovation. INCAE boasts the Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development and is a recognized leader in the study of corporate environmental strategy. The main campus of INCAE is located near Alajuela, just twenty-five miles from the Costa Rican capital, San Jose.
Pre-departure class sessions prepare students for the overseas academic program by familiarizing them with the background and terminology around sustainable development. The program starts with an orientation and welcome breakfast. Students take classes over the two weeks from a Carlson faculty member and INCAE faculty members. Cultural tours, field trips, and site visits complement the class sessions. Students are paired in multicultural teams for group work and case presentations. This program has a demanding schedule and academic standards are high. Students should be prepared for this to be one of the most academically rigorous courses of their program.
Students are housed on the INCAE campus in bungalows. Students will share a room with one or two classmates of their same gender. Because networking and community-building are key parts of the program, students will not have the option of a single room. The bungalows include shared kitchen, bathroom, and living facilities. Lunch and dinner Monday – Friday are provided in the INCAE cafeteria. Guests are not permitted during the program. Please note that due to cultural norms only married participants will be able to share their bungalow with a classmate of the opposite gender (their spouse).
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Participants pay $4,500 directly to the University of Minnesota. This fee covers tuition for 4 credits, international health insurance, course materials, housing, some meals, site visits and group excursions. Airfare, personal travel and expenses are not covered by the course fee. Fees are based on estimates and may change due to international economic factors. Financial Aid can be applied to study abroad programs.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. In addition, University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Visit the
funding your education abroad for additional information on financial aid and scholarships.
Application materials include the
online application form, a resume, and essay. Students will be charged a $50.00 application fee. The application deadline is June 15, 2010.
Students will be informed of their status within 4 weeks of the application deadline. Selected students will be charged a $500 non-refundable deposit to confirm a place on the program.