The Master of International Forestry (MIF) program recently travelled to Costa Rica for its annual field visit, giving students the opportunity to bring classroom concepts to life through hands-on learning in the field. The trip, hosted by the Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education (CATIE), immerses students in real-world forestry and land management challenges, allowing them to observe how environmental, social and economic factors intersect on the ground.
Costa Rica offers an ideal setting for this specialized experiential learning. Known globally for its leadership in conservation, forest restoration and sustainable land management, the country reflects many of the complex issues explored in the MIF program.
During the visit, students examined how land ownership and tenure systems influence the ways forests and agricultural landscapes are managed, and how these dynamics shape both conservation outcomes and local livelihoods.
“We can see how land tenure and land ownership play out, and how that impacts land use, particularly in relation to agroforestry and forestry systems,” said MIF Professor Terry Sunderland. “The National Park network here is also extremely advanced. Over 30% of Costa Rica’s land surface is in well managed protected areas.”
Throughout the trip, students explored a range of ecosystems and working landscapes, from mountain forests to protected national parks. They also visited cacao farms practicing agroforestry—an approach that integrates trees with crops to support both biodiversity and sustainable production. Agroforestry is a key topic within the MIF curriculum, and the field visits allowed students to see firsthand how these systems operate in practice.Later in the trip, they travelled to the Nicoya peninsular on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to visit those living in the blue zone, to ask the questions we all want to know the answer – what’s the secret to living for so long.
“We went through the mountain forest, and it was fascinating to see the diversity of species,” said MIF student Oyinkansola Happiness Akinade. “I love forestry, learning about communities and how different landscapes connect, it’s exactly what I want to build my career around.”
“What’s most interesting to me is seeing the landscape in action,” said MIF student Amie Jobe. “In class, we’ve studied how different actors interact with the same landscape, and being here in Costa Rica to witness it firsthand has been incredibly valuable for my learning and my career.”
Cacao has long been an important source of income for communities around the world. In Costa Rica, cacao production continues to play an important role in supporting local livelihoods while contributing to diversified, tree-based farming systems.
“Every lecture has been wonderful, from learning the history of CATIE to understanding how it all began,” said MIF student Anwulika Emmanuella Mordi. “It shows that there’s no perfect start. You have to start somewhere to make a difference. From there, we saw how sustainable practices are applied on the ground and thought about how these lessons could inform similar work in other countries, with the goal of making a global impact.”
Watch the video of MIF’s visit to Costa Rica here.
About the Master of International Forestry
The Master of International Forestry is an intensive, 12-month program based on a mix of experiential learning and coursework that prepares students to explore, negotiate, and implement solutions to the complex challenges facing the world’s forests, and the people that depend upon them.
Graduates of the MIF program are equipped for careers in a rapidly expanding field addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. With forests at the heart of international concerns, the program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to tackle complex issues through a transdisciplinary and globally coordinated approach.
MIF instructors bring decades of global experience into the classroom. Their expertise, passion, and international networks enrich learning through research-driven teaching and guest lectures. The program also connects students to the International Forestry Students Association, fostering global engagement and travel opportunities.
Find more information about the MIF program here.
