Frequently Asked Questions

The Global Renewable Energy Education Network – A socially responsible educational adventure company. Founded on the three pillars of Education, Adventure and Culture, GREEN gives motivated students an opportunity to discover the world of renewable energy while experiencing breathtaking adventures and becoming immersed in foreign cultures.

The GREEN Program offers cutting edge education coupled with unforgettable adventure excursions and cultural experiences. Each pillar of the program is supervised by a professional in the field from either the United States or Costa Rica. The GREEN Network is made up of not only prior Alums but includes directors and managers of commercial alternative energy facilities, educators and corporate liaisons. Not to mention our Program Operations Team is made up of trained and certified Program Advisors and outgoing Group Counselors who make the Program a fun and comfortable experience for all types of students.

Students that enroll the unique GREEN Program range from College Freshmen seeking to get a head start in the field of Renewable Energy to motivated Master’s Degree Candidates seeking to gain a competitive advantage prior to entering the workforce. Over 20 US Universities have already sent their students to take part in the GREEN – Costa Rica Program, amongst them, University of Michigan, NYU, Rutgers University, Carnegie-Mellon, Purdue and more. Has anyone from your school completed the GREEN Experience? Check with your academic advisor or email us at info@greenworknow.comso we can put you in touch with GREEN Alums from your University.

In the event of a mild medical emergency you will be promptly evaluated and treated by a local physician (if necessary). In the event of a serious illness or family emergency you will be assisted by our program coordinators to change your flight arrangements to allow for immediate departure back to the United States. Additionally, most airlines carry an emergency policy accommodating their clients in the event of such an emergency.

Costa Rica holds the title “Oasis of Peace” as one of the friendliest and safest countries in Central America. While violent crimes are low, petty crime such as pick-pocketing is popular in San Jose as in any large city. Extra care must be taken when traveling through large cities or exploring the country at night. The simplest ways of protecting yourself is to use common sense and vigilance throughout the program. Additional “Theft Insurance” can be purchased for the duration of the 12-day program from your airline or from an accredited travel insurance broker. The GREEN Program limits student exposure to dangerous situations; however students are expected to act as reasonable and vigilant adults while visiting Costa Rica.

As with any country located near the equator, there are various diseases that may be more common than in the United States. Almost all diseases are easily avoided by proper hygiene, bug repellant, and common sense. In the unlikely event of a student becoming seriously ill, immediate care will be provided and, where applicable, paid for by the contracted insurance company.

Yes, upon registering for the GREEN Program, a portion of the program fee is automatically used to secure proper insurance for the duration of your participation with the GREEN Program. GREEN provides its students with top-level coverage from INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros), a subsidiary of HSBC. For further details or to see a sample policy please visit http://portal.ins-cr.com/ or contact a GREEN Representative atinfo@greenworknow.com.

Wireless Internet Access is available 24/7 at the Hotels including the common areas and individual rooms. The use of Wireless Internet at all hotels on the GREEN Program is complimentary.

International Calls can easily be made through Skype (www.skype.com) or with use of an international calling card.

Communication with family and friends is completely up to the student. Wireless Internet access is available 24/7 and allows for easy communication with family and friends throughout the duration of the 12-day program.

The Global Renewable Energy Education Network works with various universities across the United States and Costa Rica to assist students in getting academic credit for the trip at their respective universities. Academic credit is granted at the discretion of each respective university. GREEN will provide all relevant paperwork to your university program to assist you in getting credit.

While partnered with world class universities, the Global Renewable Energy Education Network is not directly affiliated with any specific university. As such, it is possible to provide top notch education by industry experts, outstanding cultural experiences, while keeping the administrative costs low and affordable for each student.

The daily lectures take place in a collaborative environment. By utilizing modern technology such as projection screens and LCD, combined with traditional learning methods, GREEN faculty will explore the topics of Renewable Energy with the students. The lectures are designed to allow for interaction between students, educators and industry experts. Ranging from daily reading, lectures and industry guest speakers, the students will become fully immersed in the topics of Renewable Energy as applied to the disciplines of Business, Engineering, Public Policy, Psychology, Ecology, History and Environmental Science.

The program is dedicated to providing a comprehensive understanding of five Renewable Energy systems, their future on our planet, and their current applicability. Topics of exploration include Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass and Hydroelectric forms of Renewable Energy in addition to Sustainability and Green Building & Design.

Absolutely, each lecture will be complemented by exclusive “hands-on” site visits to a functioning Renewable Energy power plant, giving the students an opportunity to see each type of technology in action. In addition, students will have access to top level managers and directors of each plant allowing for fruitful interaction and expert opinions to be shared with the class.

The GREEN Capstone Project is assigned at the beginning of the program and gives students an opportunity to collaborate with students of different academic backgrounds to develop socially responsible proposals inspired by the renewable energy lessons they receive on the GREEN Program. Each proposal is developed with the guidance of the faculty and is presented to the rest of the group at the conclusion of the program. The proposals serve as an opportunity for students to APPLY what they have learned and prepare them for action upon their return to the United States. The Capstone Project Presentations are often attended by industry professionals and have even resulted in subsequent interviews of students and internship offers.

Once settled into Hotel Tilawa, the home base, all transportation relevant to the program and EcoEnergy Tours will be provided. Transportation will be in the form of a comfortable tour bus. Additional discretionary transportation can easily be requested in the form of a public or private taxi. The Hotel has a partnership with a local taxi company, further ensuring the safety of our students.

During your 12-day stay, you will be comfortably accommodated in one of the rooms at Hotel Tilawa and other Hotels during the overnight trips around the country. You will have a roommate which will be selected by the GREEN Program Advisors according to your “Roommate Questionnaire”, which you will fill out prior to the program.

Note: If you are not comfortable staying with a roommate for personal/health reasons, please let us know in your “Program Application” and we will make alternate arrangements based on availability.

If for some reason you feel uncomfortable in attending an excursion, please indicate this on your “Program Application." Alternative activities will be available.  You may also accompany the group without having to become involved.  You will never be forced to participate in anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

As part of the program, twenty-five full meals will be served over the course of 12 days, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additional meals can be purchased during cultural excursions and EcoEnergy Tours.

Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat type so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adaptor.

Costa Rica is GMT -6, which is the same as Central Standard Time in the United States.

The all-inclusive 12-day price is $2250 for the Winter program and $2450 for any one of the Summer programs.  This includes all lodging, food, transportation, medical and emergency coverage and evacuation, educational materials, lectures, and site visits, adventure excursions, cultural experiences, community service project materials, and any other costs as a result of being on the program.  Other in-country costs include a few scattered meals not had as a group, the exit fee of $26, airfare, and any discretionary items.

The GREEN 12-day educational program is complemented with exciting adventures ranging from windsurfing to canopy tours. Admittance and transportation to every excursion is included in the program registration fee; however, we recommend that every student brings a comfortable amount of spending money. These funds will go to cover expenses such as extra meals and drinks at the Hotel, gift purchases, personal purchases during trips into town, and additional discretionary expenses as determined by the student.

Recommended discretionary sum for a 12-day program: $250

Costa Rica Price Chart:
$12 – Tourist Venue Meal
$5 – Local Venue Meal
$2 – Soda
$4 – Small Souvenir
$25 – Generous Souvenir

$6 – Sunscreen
$5 – Taxi trip (10 miles)
$30 – Private Windsurfing Lesson
$50 – Additional Excursions (ATV Rental, etc)

*These items are by no means necessary for the trip but are suggestions of current prices in Costa Rica.

Upon receiving your acceptance notice, a spot will be reserved for you on the selected trip. This reservation will last for 14 days, giving you time to process your payment. In the event that your payment is not received by the deadline, the spot will open up for other students on the waiting list. A 3-Part Payment Plan is available to students wishing to complete their Program Fee Payment in smaller installments. Please inform your Personal Representative upon acceptance to the program.

GREEN is able to offer discounts to student groups of 4 or more. In addition, small scholarships are available for students in need of financial assistance. Email your Personal Representative for a Scholarship Application.

The official currency of Costa Rica is known as “Colones”. The typical exchange rate is approximately 500 Colones for 1 US Dollar. The real time exchange rate can be found Online.

You can use your debit/credit card at most retailers, restaurants, and places of business. ATMs are available throughout local towns and can be used to withdraw US Dollars or Costa Rican Colones with a service charge of 1 to 2 percent depending on your bank. In addition, you can visit one of several banks for all your currency exchange needs as well as to withdraw money with your Debit Card.

The Global Renewable Energy Education Network is based out of the town of Tilaran in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica. Throughout your 12-day educational adventure your home base will be the comfortable and inspiring Hotel Tilawa with full amenities. Several overnight trips will let the students explore other areas of Costa Rica, including the jungle and the beach. Additionally, many excursions will take place outside the town of Tilaran and will be supervised by GREEN Staff as well as the Tour Operator.

Upon arrival at San Jose Airport, you will be greeted by a GREEN Staff Member. The group will be comfortably transported to the hotel in a tour bus while enjoying the captivating scenery of the Costa Rican Landscape. A brief lunch stop will be made to treat the students to their first cultural meal of the trip. Arrival at the hotel will take place in the evening where the student group will be warmly greeted by hotel management and personnel and helped into their rooms. That evening, a collaborative activity will take place over dinner to encourage students to get to know each other as well as prepare for the next 12 days.

Knowledge of the Spanish language is not necessary for participation in our program. The curriculum is designed and presented in English. However, by immersing yourself in the Costa Rican culture, you are likely to pick up some of the language. By interacting with the locals you can brush up your Spanish or take the steps towards learning it for the first time. Each student will be provided with a fact sheet at the beginning of the program informing them of “must-know” phrases in Spanish.

The legal drinking age in Costa Rica is 18 years old.

GREEN conducts business with only the most reputable companies in Costa Rica. All subcontractors and partners, such as tour operators, have vast experience in their business and are prepared to deliver quality service to our students. Furthermore, legal contracts are established with specific partners to ensure their continuous dedication to the GREEN Program