My Costa Rican Study Abroad Adventures
Studying abroad can be exciting and intimidating. When I arrived in Costa Rica, I was stepping into a new country completely on my own. What I didn’t realize was how much this experience would shape not only my education but also my confidence, friendships, and personal growth.
Building Life-Long Friendships
Making friends abroad can be nerve-wracking. Before arriving abroad, I assumed friendships would be there for me as comfort, but they didn't just fall into my lap. One thing that helped was all of the international students were grouped together in the same classes, so we were all together in the same boat. On top of this, the CEA CAPA excursions and events put us into an even tighter knit group where friend-making was easy and natural. CEA CAPA excursions are where I ended up making my closest friends. The excursions created an environment where we went from strangers to close friends quickly; by spending all weekend together, we had no option but to socialize. After the guided excursions, it was easy to bond over shared experiences like planning trips, budgeting, and exploring the country as well as get to know each other deeply through these shared experiences.
View from one of the weekend trips I helped plan, this Airbnb was $48/night split by 6 people!
What really helped was embracing these opportunities instead of holding back. I am a social, but anxious, person and can have a hard time sparking conversation or bridging the gap between someone you talk to in class to a close friendship; that’s why the excursions were the perfect place to make close friends in a natural way. We were all on a bus together to the destination, so all it took was laughing at the same things and small talk at the bus stop before we started sitting together on the bus ride for hours - and the friendship was established. My closest friends from abroad are people I still keep in touch with and visit regularly. So, if you’re nervous about making friends, don't be afraid to get involved in group activities and talk to people.
A New Education Style
Situating academics for studying abroad can be stressful — will my credits transfer? Will I keep up? I was so worried about my classes not counting towards my major and setting me back, but after a quick meeting with my major’s academic department, most of my anxiety went away. I was even able to send them course syllabi to help guarantee credit! Course registration also felt really daunting at first, but it turned out to be a quick and easy process.
My class visited our teachers lab at University of Costa Rica, as you can tell the class has a much tighter-knit feel
Once I arrived, I realized the education style in Costa Rica was a refreshing change. Classes were smaller, more collaborative, focused on discussion and group projects rather than exams. I also felt closer to my professors, who became mentors and friends, inviting us to personal events outside class and furthering my sense of community.
One of my favorite parts was that every class included a field trip. Whether whale watching, snorkeling, or bird watching, these trips helped me connect in class teachings with real-world experiences and made learning memorable and fun. Not only did these classes count for major credits, but they were also the most interesting and engaging classes I have taken thus far in my college career. If you study abroad, I recommend embracing hands-on experiences, I don’t know when I will get to experience anything like that again
Immersing in Culture
Diving fully into a new culture and way of life can be the most intimidating part for some people. Not only are you going somewhere completely alone, far away from home but you are also stepping into a place that is very different from what you are used to. Living with a host family was the best way to immerse myself in my host culture and feel at home in this new place. Sharing meals, experiencing daily routines, and celebrating holidays together gave me a deeper insight into Costa Rican culture and life. I learned the importance of slowing down, enjoying coffee breaks and meals.
Enjoying lunch at our favorite local soda that we frequented often
CEA CAPA also organized cultural events like cooking classes and coffee tastings, which made cultural immersion fun and social. Another way I got immersed in the culture was celebrating local holidays and engaging with my community through attending a local gym and becoming a regular at a nearby coffee shop, bakery and restaurant. For Independence Day, I went into the city centre and watched the parade and all of the festivities, I got to get a peek into traditional music and dancing, cultural celebrations and national pride. Celebrating holidays can give you insight into local traditions and community values, and was a great way to fully immerse myself in their culture. Getting involved in this way increases the sense of community you feel abroad and I highly recommend doing the same!
Independence Day parade in downtown San José, September 15, 2024
Gaining Confidence and Personal Growth
Studying abroad gave me the time to try new things and gain confidence in myself. With a more manageable academic load and no work commitments, I finally had time to pick up hobbies like journaling, reading, and going to the gym, that I had been meaning to. Once the habit was made, it was much easier to implement these hobbies into my daily life back at home even with a busier schedule. I also started to plan weekend trips for my friend group, learning valuable planning skills such as booking housing, budgeting, scheduling transportation, and accommodating different needs. I am usually a very type B person and was never a good planner, so I feel much more confident after independently planning weekend trips for four months.
This experience showed me I’m capable of navigating challenges independently — a confidence that has stayed with me after returning home. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, use this time to explore interests you have been meaning to try and develop new skills.
My Advice
Say hi to people. Everyone is new and wants to make friends. You may never see them again, so if it goes poorly there’s nothing to worry about!
Explore your host city. It’s easy to get caught up planning weekends away, but knowing your home city is just as fun and beneficial so spend a couple days or weekend exploring your community
Step out of your comfort zone, go to events, try new things, choose the restaurant that is the most different - whatever this means for you.
Live with a host family if you can. It’s the best way to experience culture firsthand.
Take advantage of CEA CAPA onsite staff. They help with everything from housing problems and doctor’s visits to weekend plans. They are there to help and are good at their job!
Say yes as much as possible. If you don’t like something, you can always leave
My closest friends and I at the CEA CAPA farewell dinner
Studying abroad was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. It taught me about friendship, learning, culture, and myself. I initially had fears and misconceptions about being in a new environment, but stepping out of my comfort zone helped me grow in ways I’d never imagined. If you’re considering going abroad, DO IT! You won’t regret it.
This post was written by Bailey Stumpf, a CEA CAPA Alum from Colorado School of Mines, who studied abroad in San José, Costa Rica.
