A once in a lifetime learning hands on experience
What we do
Solo Mundo Abroad offers Spring, Summer and Winter study abroad courses in Costa Rica, where students will learn in a tropical environment, in a country rich in biodiversity and natural wealth.
Through this course students will be able to experience the best of Costa Rica while learning through hands-on experiences in places with paradisiacal beaches, protected wilderness areas of tropical forest and ocean, mangrove swamps and marine environments, where species of flora and fauna that are in danger of extinction coexist.
We provide unforgettable hands-on experiences with wildlife, immersed in conservation efforts, that will truly impact the life of the students at a personal and professional level. Students will be able to embrace the opportunity to face real and exciting challenges and be open to experiences that expand their assumptions and perspectives.
Why Us
- Hands on experience guided by experts
Students gain unbelievable international travel adventures, where they will share with different cultures, and expand their views and skills that will be able to be applied to their day to day living like: adaptability, leadership skills, oral communication skills, information literacy, critical reasoning, critical thinking, initiative, problem solving, independence, self confidence, civic engagement and global learning.
Students will be able to use their experience as part of their university applications and career journey, but most importantly as their own personal growth. Interested students are able to apply for service hours on their trip at the same time as they build life experiences.
- Experienced instructors
Our experienced team of instructors living on site, and guiding the student groups all of the way, provide a family like environment, making students enjoy the experience even more and develop new friendships. The instructors, with their passion for conservation and wildlife, create an adventurous, fun and enthusiastic environment that inspires students while prioritizing student safety with risk management, thorough program planification and emergency protocols.
- Individualized education
Each of our programs are of small group sizes of maximum 15 students per group to allow students to take as much advantage of the hands-on experience and have a more individualized education. Small groups also help the students encourage group cohesion and bonding.
- Be part of conservation
With the participation in our study abroad programs, it allows Solo Mundo to provide funding to Kids Saving the Rainforest wildlife rescue center, where we rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife back into their habitat. It also supports our wildlife sanctuary where we give sanctuary to animals that can’t be released back into the wild. We are also able to support our other conservation projects like our reforestation and wildlife bridge project, and our local conservation marine and sea turtle partner projects. Students will actively be making an impact and supporting conservation efforts, while learning.
Our Staff
Gabriel Ligon
KSTR Board Member
Gabriel has twelve years of experience working in the field of wildlife rehabilitation, eco-tourism, captive animal management, wildlife centered natural disaster projects, captive propagation, large scale outreach programs, creative marketing, event planning, and zoological park management. From a young age, Gabriel has been immersed in the world of animals and dedicated his life to studying and working with them.
Joshua Mueller
KSTR Board Member
Joshua has had experience managing organizations that support wildlife conservation projects around the globe by providing educational experiences. Since very young, Joshua has had an interest in wildlife, specifically protecting and preserving species. Joshua has worked with wildlife in animal preserves and as an assistant at animal hospitals. Education at Louisiana State University for Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
Carmen Soto
KSTR Partnerships Director
Carmen is a wildlife veterinarian from Costa Rica with a Masters degree in Conservation Medicine from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, and a postgraduate in Wildlife and Exotic Animal Medicine. She is also a member of CONMVEFAS (National Council of Veterinary Wildlife Physicians of Costa Rica)
Carmen is passionate about conservation in education and believes the best way to make a real impact is by educating young minds on the efforts they can do to protect the environment.
Yeimy Gamboa
Director and Biologist
Yeimy worked for 7 years at Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC-MINAE), holding different positions as regional coordinator of the wildlife program, sub-regional head and in the national inventory of wetlands. Yeimy also has experience as a wildlife manager.
Yeimy started working at KSTR in 2019. She always wanted to work directly with animals and be able to do something more for conservation.
Dennise Ortiz-DVM
Veterinary Director
Dennise Ortiz is a veterinarian and conservationist graduated from the Escuela de Medicina y Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís in 2020. During this time she completed her thesis-project on the hematology and biochemistry of the mottled owl (Ciccaba virgata) in captivity. She has worked at several wildlife rescue centers and collaborated on different conservation projects throughout Costa Rica. Dennise is a promoter of the One Health-One Ocean approach to conservation. She actively seeks solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change through the health research of wildlife populations, by introducing local communities to wildlife and One Health research, and promoting human-wildlife coexistence.
Location
Quepos, Costa Rica
KSTR Wildlife Rescue & Sanctuary
Located on 85 beautiful acres of rainforest, you can hike into the jungle where you are more likely to come upon a wild troop of Gray-Crowned Squirrel Monkeys or a Poison Dart frog than another human. Everything is alive and green. We also have a beautiful pool with a stunning mountain view to cool off in when you’re not working.
