If you’re considering studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica, it’s worth it to look into the variety of volunteer opportunities that will be available during your time abroad.

Surrounded by lush vegetation, Heredia is a small hidden gem that puts you near almost everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Students who study here enjoy easy access to cultural, historic, and urban highlights of the capital city, San José, and to the Pacific Ocean. You can discover other parts of Costa Rica through optional tours, field trips, and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering in Heredia

If you’re interested in volunteering in Heredia, the USAC office can help you get set up with an opportunity to fit your needs. In Spring 2017, students participated in a volunteer opportunity through the campus in Heredia, Benjamín Núñez Campus of National University (UNA). The original article on the student’s work can be found on the campus website and has been translated below.

Núñez Goes Green

For two years now, the Benjamín Núñez Campus of National University (UNA), has teamed up with the National Service of Animal Health, the Schools of Biology and Environmental Sciences and the international academic exchange program, University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), have worked to form a group dedicated to the reforestation of tree species in empty areas of campus without plans for future renovation.

USAC said that this volunteer work makes students feel like they are a part of the campus. Carlos Hernández from USAC said, “We plant trees native to the area like Madero Negro. These trees then offer foliage and homes for several species of animals. We plant Sota Caballo to help fortify the ground and offers additional refuge for the animals present. Night-blooming cerus, acerola and the pitanga are planted to help attract insects and their berries provide a food source for the birds.”

As a part of these activities for the Environmental Commission, there is a continuation of cultivation for these trees in the protected botanical gardens of the Bermúdez River, as well as the collection of trash on the Núñez Campus.

The hope is that in three years, this will be an important area of campus for reforestation with abundant foliage and something that could be replicated on other campuses.

Here are photos of the students volunteering.