Finding Faith, Friendship and Adventure in Costa Rica

Student Life & Academics

Our schedule varied from going to classes to working in our assigned sites. Spanish classes were taught by local professors who prepared us to speak and communicate in their language. The classes were intimate in the way that you could actively participate, feel comfortable speaking and learn. Our workload focused less on worksheets and more on observations of the culture.

The other half of the semester is spent serving in assigned ministry sites. In the Women’s Social Work site, I was able to serve the women of the community who came together to learn skills such as sewing, baking, cooking, embroidery and more, to turn into a business of their own. I was able to lead my own baking class! My favorite memory of being at sites was accompanying the education site and going on a hike with all the kiddos.

It seems like a lot, but I had SO much more free time than I imagined. The program set aside weekends where they planned excursions like hikes, seeing volcanoes and going to the mountains. I did my first ever trail run race in the mountains with three other students. Our cohort and I even planned a trip to a beach for a student’s birthday! Living in a walkable neighborhood, you pass by the same stores, the same businesses, the same people. Over time, you get to know who your neighbors are and make connections with the locals. I connected with many of the women in my site and even have them as friends on Facebook. Interactions like these were encouraged by our professors. They wanted us to put ourselves in an unfamiliar environment to challenge our communication skills, understanding of a new culture and customs.

Culture & Personal Adjustment

Orientation week followed shortly after our arrival and was a crash course in how to thrive like a local in Costa Rica. Our site leaders took us on buses, showed us their favorite food spots and gave us insider tips like where to buy the essentials. It was also the first time I really bonded with the other students in my cohort, all eight of us, who quickly became my travel buddies, study partners and friends. It really took the pressure off to spend the first couple of days getting to know everyone and the neighborhood around us. I felt prepared to start classes and serve with site leaders.

A fun activity that was coordinated at the beginning of the semester was a scavenger hunt in San Jose, the main city! We were divided into two groups and raced to see which group could find the landmarks the fastest with clues. The catch? You couldn’t use any devices and had to ask locals for directions. Truly a fun experience! My group lost and took a lot of snack and rest breaks, but we had tons of fun.

Every student was placed with their own host family in the same neighborhood. Before assigning placements, the program director reached out to learn about our preferences (pets, dietary restrictions and more), so that we could be matched with a home that fit our needs. My host mom always welcomed me with warmth and made sure I had a hot plate of food. The main staple foods are rice and beans—included in every meal. A big culture shock was noticing how peaceful daily life felt. My host family prioritized rest, and as someone who was so used to an intense productivity culture, I learned the importance of having a balance.

There were moments when I felt homesick, but knowing I had support back home motivated me to make the best out of my experience. I regularly called and texted my friends and family to bring a piece of home to my new temporary home, making it easier to adjust to the change of environment. Knowing Spanish also helped me communicate with my host families and connect with them from day one! But even if you don’t know much Spanish, most host families are already familiar with English and are excited to share their language. And if you do know Spanish, you’ll have a stronger vocabulary and soon will talk like a local.

Personal Reflection

After a semester full of exciting opportunities, I am most grateful for the connections I made. I am incredibly blessed to have served alongside my site leaders, Cindy and Heydi, who have shown resilience, strength and grace. They inspire me to lead with compassion and confidence.

Although I had many unforgettable experiences, there were always doubts. What is my purpose for being here? What is the point? I often questioned my abilities. As coming into my faith, I was surrounded by people who had such strong faith and a relationship with God. It made me wonder, am I the right person to be serving? But because I was surrounded by such a strong community, I learned more about servitude and what it means to have a relationship with God.

No matter your background or your journey, I encourage all students who feel called to step into something beyond the ordinary and study abroad. You will not only learn about the world around you, but also how you fit into this world.

Practical & Logistics Questions

• How do you choose which program or country to study in?
  • Costa Rica is currently the only country available for FPU students to do a semester abroad due to the courses and transferable credits (including the internship requirement). Students have an option to choose what ministry site they’d like to serve: Boys & Girls Club, Women’s Social Work, Education, Sports, and Women’s Health & Fitness.
• How do credits transfer back to my major/degree?
  • It is highly encouraged to meet with your academic advisor to assess how the academic credits will fit with a major. I have included a link on how to apply. I met with Ken Friesen, our international studies and global education program coordinator, who supported me in every step of the process. He was always an email or a phone call away.
  • Link to apply: https://stint.com/current-teams/?type=sem
• How much does it cost, and what scholarships/financial aid are available?
  • For financial aid information, you will need to speak with program advisors on current opportunities. There are grants available for liberal studies majors, and scholarships awarded by the university cover regular costs.
• How do you handle travel (flights, visas, paperwork)?
  • Students International arranges the flights with the student choosing the airport and a preferred airline. The cost of the flight is included in the total cost of the program. No visas are required.