Visit Costa Rica

Anthony amaya

As a double major in Criminal Justice and Finance, I chose to study abroad in Costa Rica because I wanted to advance my Spanish skills and gain a deeper understanding of the culture. Learning Spanish in a classroom is one thing, but being fully immersed in a Spanish-speaking country is completely different. During my four weeks in Costa Rica, I earned six hours of Spanish credit while improving my speaking, writing, and comprehension skills in ways I never could have at home.

I had so much fun during the program. My classmates, professor, host family, and the local community all helped make the experience unforgettable. We spent a lot of time with our host families, and mine was incredibly sweet and comforting. We also had the opportunity to travel throughout the country, visiting beaches, mountains, and plantations. Everywhere we went, we made memories.

One of the things I appreciated most was the balance between academics and exploration. During the week, we focused on classroom learning, and on the weekends, we had opportunities to explore and try new things. As the weeks went on, I found myself applying what I learned in class to real-life conversations. At first, locals could tell I wasn't from Costa Rica, but over time they began complimenting my Spanish and telling me how confident I sounded. That was a really rewarding feeling.

The culture in Costa Rica was beautiful. While there were similarities to my own background, there were also many differences that made the experience unique. The people were welcoming, community-oriented, and genuinely kind. My host mother reminded me a lot of my grandmother, and we developed a close relationship despite any language barriers. We talked about food, language, traditions, and daily life, and those conversations helped me feel at home.

My favorite memory from the trip was visiting the beach. I’m a beach person at heart—I love the sun, being active, and being outdoors. The scenery was beyond beautiful. Seeing the waves crash against my feet while taking in the views around me gave me a completely new perspective. The culture, food, and scenery are all beyond beautiful.

This was also my first time traveling internationally without my family. At first, I was hesitant because I didn’t have that familiar safety net, but looking back, that independence was one of the most valuable parts of the experience. It taught me how to adapt, trust myself, and grow as a person. As long as you're willing to learn, stay open-minded, and keep moving forward, you'll do well.

I would absolutely study abroad again. In fact, I’d go almost anywhere. Japan interests me because of the connection to my finance studies, and I’ve always wanted to visit places like Sweden, but honestly, I’d jump at the opportunity to study abroad again wherever it might be.

My advice to students considering study abroad is simple: invest in the experience and bring a piece of home with you. Find something to enjoy about where you are, even when things feel challenging. One phrase I shared with my classmates was, “Una mente negativa nunca crea una vida positiva”—a negative mind never creates a positive life. If you never push your boundaries, you’ll never become more than what you are now.

If I had to convince someone to study abroad in just a few sentences, I would say this: If you are looking for an honest and genuine experience—one that is immersive, challenging, and rewarding—then study abroad. If you’re hesitant because you’re scared or intimidated, don’t let that stop you. I don’t want anyone looking back and wondering, “What if?” If you want to have fun and learn at the same time, study abroad is where you can do both.