Visiting Costa Rica was more than a study abroad experience… it was a reminder to my soul of what is possible. A few years ago, after losing everything I owned, I wrote “La Fortuna Waterfall” in my journal as a place I hoped to visit one day. I had no idea how I would get there, but I trusted that somehow it would happen. A year later, I re-enrolled in school to start my bachelor’s program. When the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica was presented to me, I applied for a scholarship just to see what was possible. I was notified that I wasn’t chosen to receive the scholarship, but to my surprise a day or two later I received a phone call saying that the original candidate was no longer going, and I was awarded one! Without this scholarship, I believe I would have missed out on one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Standing at La Fortuna Waterfall after making the trek down all 550 steps, feeling the mist on my skin, hearing the roar of the water all around me, then plunging into the waters cool embrace; I couldn’t help but think about that journal entry and how life unfolds in ways greater than we can ever imagine.
What I cherish most from this experience were the connections I made. My classmates Ezria, Jillian and Nora quickly became like little sisters to me, and somewhere between throwing up on the winding bus rides, sharing laughs and meals together, and falling asleep with late night chats in our room, we became friends. As someone still in the beginning stages of learning sign language, there were moments when I felt confused and somewhat left out because I could not fully understand the conversations happening around me. Yet those moments gave me a glimpse into the communication barriers that Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals face every day, and it helped me to become more patient, observant, and understanding. Beyond the classroom, I connected with local community members, shared stories with people whose lives looked very different from my own and was reminded that “our way of living” is not the only way. Costa Rica opened my eyes not only to new cultures and perspectives, but also to the ways I hope to serve others as a future Human Services professional. Surrounded by nature, fresh food, clean rushing waterfalls, and genuine human connection, I remembered that community, accessibility, and caring for one another are universal needs. This trip reignited something within me; a sense of wonder, purpose, and possibility. And I know now, more than ever, that when we follow the things that truly set our souls on fire, life has a beautiful way of meeting us halfway, as long as we choose to show up!
– Kayla, SPC Costa Rica (ASL) Study Abroad Program, May 2026