Why did you choose this program?
I chose CEA CAPA due to the amazing reviews I have heard from others when looking into the program. I had not heard of CEA CAPA before, so when I saw my study abroad office offer this experience, I was hesitant. Then, I decided to do some of my own research, and found someone who had shared their experience in San Jose online. After messaging with her about some of my thoughts and concerns, I realized this would be something I would really be interested in! The staff of CEA were very involved and supportive at the start; from applying on the interest form, till my flight back to the United States. They were all very involved, and made sure I was comfortable the entire shift. Their care, and compassion really did make a difference in my experience!
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
My home university had sent our three different study abroad experiences working with CEA CAPA, San Jose being one of them, so I had replied to that email with any questions, or concerns I may of had. Shortly after, I started receiving emails from CEA CAPA about interest meetings, important dates, and ways to learn more about the program. This really got me more interested reading about other peoples stories, and seeing the lives they had built abroad.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
The one piece of advice I would give to someone thinking of joining this experience would be to just do it. Personally, my issues with my anxiety and leaving home almost held me back from going, and I am so glad I went. It is important to remember that there are outlets and support the entire time you are abroad, and so many people coming from all over the world in the same position as you. Use others to rely on, and be vulnerable about how you are feeling. Everyone I met in the program and such amazing and empathetic people, and truly helped me get comfortable with the new life we had built. I can promise it will be an experience you will never forget!
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
The average day-to-day life on a school day looked a little different everyday. In the Medical Spanish course it ran for 4 hours a day Monday-Friday. I would get up around 8am and eat breakfast for 8:30am so I could take my walk with my roommates to Veritas University and be at class for 9am. Class would typically go from 9Am-10:30Am before a 30 minute break, and then from 11Am-12Pm. After class, we had the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted, so my friends and I would usually go do work or practice our patient simulations due that week, go get food from the surrounding markets and restaurants, or do our own mini excursion for the rest of the day. Each day typically look pretty similar unless there was an planned excursion with the program or weekend trip.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear going abroad mainly was starting a mini life somewhere else for the first time. I had been out of the country a few times before, however this was the longest and furthest I ever was from family. The thought of being completely by myself and having to figure everything out alone was really scary, and almost held me back from taking this opportunity. There were many ways I overcame this. One being getting out of my comfort zone from day one, and doing everything I could and was allowed too. I tried to say yes to everything, and that was how I made most of my favorite memories abroad. However, the thing that helped the most was being open and honest with my roommates and host family about the way I was feeling. They are the closet thing I had to family abroad, and building that trust helped us all get so much closer in the time I was there.
Is it safe as a woman traveling outside of the city on weekends?
This was something many people back home asked me when I returned was how much I traveled with my friends independently while abroad. My answer to this would be yes, with some limitations. Our biggest solo weekend trip we did was to Puerto Viejo, which is close to the Panama boarder. We had about 11 girls starting off, and then invited 3 of our male friends to come as we realized the area we were staying in had some bad reviews regarding visiting Americans. With this large of a group, we really did not have any issues while away, as we used our best judgement of what we thought was safe, and wasn't safe. It is important to remember that you are in someone else's home, so being respectful of the locals there is very important if you expect to receive respect back. I believe solo traveling outside of the program is possible and safe with a realistic and well-planned trip!