Studying abroad also offers students a head start on their resumes before graduation. Through internships, research projects or community engagement activities, students can gain practical experience in their respective fields while being exposed to different cultural and professional contexts.
These experiences demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a global mindset, helping give graduates a competitive edge in the job market and preparing them for future careers that demand cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.
Throughout her time in Costa Rica, Rivera got to explore most of the country beyond the limits of the city she was staying in—Heredia, which is located in the Central Valley region about 30 minutes from the capital. “I got to travel almost every weekend. I visited La Fortuna, Monteverde, Jaco, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Panama, Bocas del Toro, San Jose often, Tamarindo, Samara, and several small cities and towns in the mountains,” she explains.
Beyond academic growth, studying abroad Rivera rekindled her love for life and revealed her strengths and weaknesses, she says. This immersive experience instilled in her a profound sense of self-awareness and clarified her aspirations for the future.
Featured image at top: Building with Costa Rican flag. Credit/ jconejo for Pixabay.