Winter Break 2024 Participant
My favorite part of studying abroad in Costa Rica was really getting to immerse myself in Costa Rican culture. We encountered so many great locals, tourists, and guides, like our tour guide, who were able to tell us personal stories and helpful information about the area. We visited many local restaurants, family-owned business, and several different small businesses. I also learned a great amount of Spanish, and was finding myself learning how to correctly communicate with the locals and our tour guide. I also fell in love with many of the beautiful sites we visited, like stunning examples of architecture, as well as scenic landscapes like waterfalls, volcanoes, and beaches. It was amazing to see how other people in the world live, communicate, and grow together in such a beautiful and healthy atmosphere.
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
For architecture students, I would say that the site visits and popular attractions we visited were extremely helpful and informative. We visited several amazing examples of architecture, includes homes, hotels, and businesses. We visited areas around Costa Rica that attract many tourists, such as San Jose's mini "China Town". We also visited many nature/animal conservatories and scenic areas like waterfalls, volcanoes, and even coffee bean farms. Visiting these places really opened my eyes to different styles of design that are utilized in different ways throughout the world, and how important the intertwinement of nature and buildings is in Costa Rica.
