10
Ready to explore what an AIFS Abroad program in Costa Rica is like? We recently spoke with Camryn from the University of South Carolina, who studied abroad in the Central American city of San José during the spring semester.
Discover how Spanish, sustainability, and “pura vida” came together for a transformative semester abroad in Costa Rica!
Once you choose to study abroad, you have to decide where and when to go. Fortunately, AIFS Abroad gives you access to dozens of amazing cities around the world; plus, a number of terms to choose from — study abroad in the fall, spring, summer, January Term, or Winter Quarter! Here’s why Camryn chose San José:
“I chose Costa Rica because of the courses offered at the University, and how closely related they are to my major (Environmental Studies). One of my main goals was to broaden my perspective of sustainability, and I wanted to learn about Costa Rican practices and be surrounded by like-minded individuals. I have also taken Spanish classes throughout my life, so I wanted a Spanish-speaking country. I would highly recommend this program to others because Costa Rica is an amazing country. There are different places to go every weekend, the AIFS Abroad staff here are extremely supportive, and the planned AIFS trips are worth it as well.”
When you study abroad is totally up to you. If you’re like Camryn, your decision will ensure you don’t miss football season back home!
“During the fall semester, football is a huge [part of] our school culture. I wanted to study abroad in the spring so that I wouldn’t miss a semester of the football season. Also, the spring semester in Costa Rica is their dry season, so there is the least amount of rain each year from January – April. The weather is beautiful here: February was around 75-80, and now it is about 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Every weekend, there has been a different place to travel to, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here this semester.”
Academics Abroad
One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad is getting to experience a new academic culture and taking classes that may not be available at your home university. Below, Camryn describes her experience at Universidad Veritas:
“I like that my host institution offers a wide variety of classes despite being a very small university. These classes appeal to [many] students from a broad spectrum of countries and beliefs. I also enjoyed how small the classes are, between 7-12 students. This size felt very intimate, and we worked together very often. The professors were also more approachable because there were fewer students in each class. The structure of class work was very interesting. None of the classes had exams or quizzes; instead, we each had multiple presentations throughout the course or other types of work. Finally, Veritas has extracurricular activities. For example, I paid $40 for 12 yoga classes, and there are free volleyball games every Monday night where anyone can join.”
Hear Camryn explain her courses in more detail:
“I took Spanish 201: Intermedio 1 Gramatica y Conversacion (4 credits), Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations (4 credits), Costa Rican Environmental Policy (4 credits), and Systems Thinking and Sustainability (3 credits). My favorite class is Costa Rican Environmental Policy. We had group projects on campus that [felt] really impactful.
The courses were similar in [how the] material was presented—usually through PowerPoints. However, there were many different aspects, such as the learning method, where exams are replaced with presentations, documentary analysis, and group work. Veritas is different from what I’m used to, considering that the professors here are also very laid back. They are more lenient with deadlines, and they have a loose syllabus that is flexible.”
As an AIFS Abroad Green Ambassador, these Environmental Studies courses were perfectly aligned with her efforts in Costa Rica!
Personal & Professional Growth
Studying abroad is an excellent way to become more independent and to grow as a person while also setting yourself up for future academic and professional success. As Camryn explains:
“I am glad that I chose to enroll at Veritas because I am enjoying my environmentally centered classes. These classes have solidified my future goals to work with sustainability. Being immersed in a different culture has broadened my perspective of sustainability, and I hope to foster these connections between people in the US. The country’s phrase, ‘Pura Vida’ has really resonated with me, and I have grown as a person discovering that I do not need fancy things to enjoy life. I have had so much fun exploring this country and the natural wonders that it has to offer. By pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I created new friendships and connected with all of my professors and the AIFS Abroad staff. I have improved my professionalism and communication skills throughout my classes, with all of my assignments being group work and presentations.”
Language Learning
Language fluency is not required for the majority of our programs. For Camryn, studying abroad in Costa Rica and taking Spanish language classes allowed her to improve her existing Spanish skills:
“While this program is in a Spanish-speaking country, it is not required to know Spanish before attending. I do have previous experience with the Spanish language, but there are students in my program with no experience. At Veritas, we were required to take at least one language class, and we took a placement exam and oral interview for our correct level. I took Intermedio 1: Gramatica y Conversacion. This is equivalent to Spanish 201, so I am at an intermediate level. In Costa Rica, many people speak at least a little bit of English, so it is relatively easy to communicate. At Veritas, there are a lot of classes that are taught in English, and some are also taught in Spanish. There are many options depending on your language level.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Abroad programs. Camryn was very happy with her homestay:
“I lived with a host family, and I highly recommend this option. I received breakfast and dinner every day, and my host mom has a fridge where my roommate and I were allowed to keep groceries for lunch. Also, the AIFS Abroad office right next to campus has a fridge, pantry, and kitchenette for students to utilize during their operational hours. My host family is very nice, and the family is extremely welcoming. Their house is also about a 10-minute walk to the university, and Veritas has a shuttle that operates throughout the day.”
As Camryn explained, AIFS Abroad housing is conveniently located near your host institution, so you never have to go far for your classes!
Cultural Appreciation
When you study or intern abroad, you’ll naturally immerse yourself in a new culture. As you get more familiar with it, your understanding will grow, and you’ll likely find some aspects of the culture that leave a deep impression on you. As Camryn explains:
“I appreciated how kind and welcoming they are, and all Costarricense (Costa Ricans) are very kind. Their culture is ingrained with specific words of endearment such as their phrase in place of ‘you’re welcome’ which is ‘con gusto.’ This translates to ‘with pleasure’ or ‘my pleasure,’ and they use the phrase ‘Pura Vida’ very often as a way to say you’re welcome or enjoy.
The Pura Vida lifestyle is my favorite cultural experience. While this may seem very broad, I really love their culture of welcoming, endearment, love, and simplicity. They do not need luxury to enjoy their lives, and I have enjoyed getting to know my host family very well. I went to a farmer’s market with them one weekend where I saw the locally grown food being purchased for organic consumption and supporting local farmers. I also [danced] with people who enjoyed teaching my friends and I Latin American dances.”
Taking Trips & Making Friends Abroad
AIFS Abroad offers day trips and excursions included in the price of every study abroad program. These trips help deepen your understanding of your host country and sometimes take you to neighboring nations. As Camryn explains, these trips are often the perfect opportunity to make friends with other AIFS Abroad participants:
“My favorite trip was to Manuel Antonio [National Park] because I really wanted to see as much wildlife as possible. It was so awesome to have a guided tour through the national park, as well as have a lot of free time to ourselves. I loved that this national park is a beach town as well, so my friends and I were able to spend personal time at the beach, too. All the excursions were well planned, and the itineraries were extremely helpful. The places we visited were beautiful, and I enjoyed each one.
I did not know anyone in my program before attending, and it was very easy to make friends. The majority of the students in my program are very social, and everyone is looking to make friends just as much as I was. Also, with the planned AIFS Abroad trips throughout the month of February, everyone became closer on these trips where we all interacted and spent time together.”
Are you a student ready to take the leap and study abroad like Camryn did in San José with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.