CEA CAPA Education Abroad in San José, Costa Rica

One of the things that my family was really concerned about was safety, health, and what academics are like abroad. As soon as my plane landed, Yeison, one of the on-site representatives was waiting for me when I got there so I felt safe because I didn't have to take transportation by myself in a foreign country to get to my host home. It was nice that there was a security guard in addition to the Veritas university security on the lookout for me when I was walking to and from campus. The CEA representatives were always very helpful whenever I needed any help or assistance especially during the time when I had mesenteric adenitis. I was hesitant to go to the hospital especially because I have never went to the hospital on my own before, but Yeison came and waited in the waiting room until I was done. He helped me communicate with the hospital staff too because there was a language barrier and a misunderstanding with the traveler's insurance. So, in the end he was able to lessen my bill to $100 rather than $800.

I thought it was really helpful that CEA familiarized with getting us a walking and bus tour of San Jose which is the place that we were going to be living in for the 4 months I was there. The CEA staff also familiarized us with the culture and told us a few things to watch out for in the presentation they had for us.

It was also easy to ask for help in planning our own weekend excursions because Yeison has experience in tourism so he was able to recommend us places and how to get there and what activities are recommended for me to do there. They also had CEA excursions which were always nice to go on and planned out thoroughly. I liked the excursion to Panama because of the island hopping tour and we were able to see a lot of Costa Rica's wildlife.

For academics, I really liked the classes that I was taking there, and I think it was very convenient because it was a maximum of 15 minutes walking. I thought the learning style was really helpful since it was more discussions, presentations, projects, and hands-on learning rather than quizzes and exams. I also liked that the teachers who worked at the university were very interactive and passionate, which made me even more compelled and inspired to learn. It was a lot more of a close relationship between the teachers and students due to the small classroom sizes and I liked how participation was very much emphasized and from this I learned a lot more. The university we went to was quite small and locals would go to our school so it was a cool experience to be to talk to them (a lot of them spoke pretty good english).

I had a wonderful experience with CEA CAPA in the program in San Jose. I was there from September 30th-December 22, and had so many opportunities to experience the culture and environment of beautiful Costa Rica. I took classes that were integral in my experience, including Spanish, and marine biology and ecology. These classes taught me all of the interesting things about the natural spaces in the country, as well as how to communicate with locals, leading to a very meaningful educational experience. I stayed with a wonderful mama Tica, and went on many fun and related trips to my classes as well as just for fun and to explore. The program helped me a lot in the planning and execution of this trip, and I am so glad I went as I feel like it was a positive formative experience.

Costa Rica was a magical experience because it was what I needed to see beyond my academic practices. Of course, teachers taught their classes to their liking, but they always incorporated student's perspectives. Many group projects and research opportunities were undertaken to comprehend Costa Rica's biodiversity fully. Ticos (Costa Ricans) have a famous saying: "Pura Vida," which translates to pure life (living a healthy lifestyle), is used as a greeting, and is a way of life. As an American, I wanted to embody their way of life and tried letting loose by exploring and being receptive. With a heart full of joy and gratitude, I can say that Costa Rica has taught me to be a well-balanced scholar and explorer by having time to create core memories outside of class. I was given enough work to enjoy each class and still go out. Going out with my friends made me realize that I yearn for more moments to be an individual away from my scholarly duties. Life is about balance, and I found it in CR because I enjoyed the company and loved what the country had to offer.

I studied away in Costa Rica during Fall 2023. The CEA CAPA team members made me feel supported the entire time I was abroad. Whether I needed help with choosing a weekend getaway or going to the hospital, the program directors were extremely helpful and friendly. I chose Costa Rica because of their health sciences program. Renowned for its universal healthcare system, Costa Rica was the best choice to learn about affordable care. Furthermore, I took classes such as Medical Spanish and Costa Rican healthcare, which will definitely help me as a future healthcare provider.

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was a transformative experience that profoundly altered the trajectory of my life and reshaped my perspective in ways I could not have anticipated. Immersed in the rich tapestry of Costa Rican culture, I found myself navigating a world far removed from the familiar contours of my home country. The profound impact of this cultural immersion extended beyond language acquisition, as I delved into the intricacies of a society deeply rooted in environmental sustainability and community interconnectedness. The vibrant landscapes and the warmth of the people became a backdrop for personal growth, pushing me to confront challenges independently and fostering a newfound sense of self-reliance. Academic enrichment came not only from classroom learning but from the unique opportunities to engage in fieldwork and research projects that showcased the country's commitment to biodiversity and conservation. The friendships forged with local residents and fellow international students created a global network, expanding my worldview and enriching my life with diverse perspectives. Beyond the academic and cultural dimensions, the experience prompted a reevaluation of my priorities, igniting a passion for environmental consciousness and sustainable living.

I had a really great experience with CEA in Costa Rica. The staff was super helpful long before we even arrived, and made sure we were safe and welcomed. The host family aspect of this study abroad program was really great, everyone in my program (myself included) loved their host families. We were all placed in housing assigments very close to the University, which was really convenient. Also, they offer a lot of interesting advanced Spanish courses with this program. I highly recommend studying abroad through CEA CAPA!

Great study abroad experience for anyone wanting to learn or practice their Spanish because you're fully immersed in the environment through school and your homestay. Lots of opportunities to explore the city and country, plus travel is cheap too! CEA plans many excursions to help with that as well. For fall early start students, a visa is not needed as the program takes you to Panama to reset your passport before the 90 days is up. Overall, highly recommend the program as you get to meet some amazing people and go on many adventures!

My experience in Costa Rica was amazing! I had a wonderful time being immersed in the culture and traditions of Costa Rican life. I enjoyed the amount of freedom I was given, as well as the number of things there to explore. The CEA program in particular did a wonderful job of creating effective and efficient communication if I was unclear or had any issues during my stay. I felt safe and comfortable as a black female traveling abroad and was given tips and tricks on how to navigate the city. I would definitely go back!