Mae, tienes que ir! Dude, you have to go!

What I loved most about CEA and Veritas University was that they gave you opportunities to travel to different parts of the country through sponsored events they planned. In particular, while on a CEA assigned excursion, I had the chance to go to Bocas del Toro, Panama. It was 30 students and two CEA staff members on our way to the international border where Costa Rica and Panama met on the northernmost side. My initial thought was wow, riding in comfort on a AC bus towards Panama. Once we arrived at the border we were asked to grab all our things and get off the bus. It was a vibrant border town dedicated to selling fruits and merchandise. We walked towards immigration and that's when I realized we were crossing the border, walking! The bridge that led us to Panama was what divided the two countires. Once we all got the go to enter the country, we got on another bus that led us to a small boat town in Panama. The sun had already set and we were not able to see the beauty that is Panama yet. On small boats we made our way like sailors to the main island in Bocas del Toro called Isla Colon.

The classes at Veritas University offered hands on experience that related to topics learned in class. For example, in my environmental sustainability course we went to a self-sustaining biological reserve just outside La Amistad national park.

As this being my second study abroad experience I valued it more because it offered an alternative to a class setting. The classes at the university had mandatory field trips to different parts of Costa Rica. As someone who loves traveling and learning I would give this program 5 stars for an all-around best experience to its students.

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