Winter Break 2024 Participant
What I found most rewarding while studying abroad in Costa Rica was overall learning the vast differences of their culture compared to American culture that I have grown up in and been surrounded in my entire life. This trip was the first time I have ever been out of the country, so it was extremely awarding to be able to learn about different cultures outside of my normal life. While being abroad, I grew very accustomed to Costa Rican currency, dishes, work life, and language. All of these aspects I found were pretty different from what I normally live through on a daily basis, which really allowed for me to gain a new type of understanding and appreciation for not only Costa Rican culture but for American culture as well.
Winter Break 2024 Participant
This program moves all around Costa Rica, and some places we stayed have a much cooler climate than you would expect. The nights also tend to cool down, so packing some warm clothes is important! Be prepared to walk a LOT. Take a smaller bag to carry what you need for a day around. Be prepared to pay for almost every meal. Getting sunburned is easy, and while you might think it would be nice to go back to Lawrence with a fresh tan, it is NOT worth it - being stuck in an airport and a plane and coming back to sub-zero temperatures already sucks, and it is ten times worse when you're burnt. Also, be prepared to stay in hotels that are of a lower quality than ones in the United States. Staying at a variety of hotels/hostels/resorts is part of the program experience, so be ready for some good and not-so-good stays!
Winter Break 2024 Participant
The most rewarding part of the trip for me was hearing about how firms in Costa Rica are working to create a cleaner and better country in which the people can live.
