Traveling to Japan this summer was truly an amazing experience. I do not think I would have ever made the trip on my own, but SPC made it possible. This has been my first SPC Study Abroad trip, and I have nothing but good things to say. Our itinerary was wonderfully made, and Professor Newsom and our tour guide did a phenomenal job. It was nice to have a group of people to go with and I am excited for the friends I have made through it. It was such a fun adventure, and I am so glad I was given this opportunity.
Japan is truly a must-see country with so much to offer. I had the best food during my trip as well as my new favorite drink, their McDonalds mango smoothie. Culture and tradition alone are beautiful, but the sights are on another level. Temples and shrines are each uniquely serene and breath taking and the natural landscape is like nothing I have seen before. One experience that I loved was being able to see Mount Fuji from the bullet train to Kyoto. Also, the Kimono wearing experience at the Asakusa Sensoji Temple was definitely my favorite thing we did. Japan is one of those places you have to go to so you can truly appreciate it. The picture is of Tokyo Tower, which we were able to visit during our free time.
– Sydney, SPC Japan Study Abroad Program, May 2026
Japan was an incredible experience and gave me the opportunity to see places and learn things that I never could have learned in a classroom. Throughout the trip, we explored Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. We visited historic temples and shrines, participated in a tea ceremony and calligraphy workshop, and walked through the famous bamboo forest. Seeing these places in person made me appreciate Japanese culture and history in a way that reading about them never could. One part of Japan I already miss is the change of pace. One day we were standing in the middle of the world’s busiest crosswalk in Shibuya, and another day we were sitting along a quiet Zen garden. Being able to experience both sides of Japan made the trip feel unique and gave me a greater appreciation for the country.
My favorite part of the trip was visiting Miyajima Island and seeing Itsukushima Shrine. The floating torii gate was beautiful and seeing it in person was even more impressive than I expected. Another experience that stood out to me was visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome. Seeing these sites in person was eye-opening and helped me better understand the impact of the events that took place there. Reading about it in a textbook is nothing compared to walking through the museum and seeing it for yourself. This trip taught me a lot about Japanese culture and history and gave me memories that I will never forget.
– Morgan, SPC Japan Study Abroad Program, May 2026
The Galapagos Island is known for its rich historical ties with evolution and its dense biodiversity. Ever since I was a little girl, I would read countless books and studies and dreamed of witnessing the science behind it all firsthand. This trip was a life-changing experience from the cultural shocks to the various ecosystems. During our time on Isabella Island, I got the once in a lifetime opportunity to hike the Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes of the Galapagos. Standing on the top at roughly 3,688ft peering over the span of 10 miles, it felt like being transported to a different planet. Especially when I got to observe the hardened volcanic rock that erupted over 20 years ago in 2005. The wildlife on the surface was equally matched to what was below with the bountiful life that thrived in the marine ecosystems at Los Túneles. I can officially say I have swum with wild black tip sharks, green sea turtles, sea lions, and several endemic fish species.
The amount of research and knowledge I have gained on this one-week trip could never be compared to the classroom. The passion that radiated from my peers and the communities on the island for protecting and preserving their native species is like nothing seen before. As an aspiring biologist, this trip provided further motivation that this planet is our home and the need to advocate for conservation should be taken more seriously around the world. My experience at the Galapagos Islands will forever have an impact on my life and how I will view our home and advocate for Florida’s conservation of wildlife. Everyone should get the chance to experience the beauty the islands had to offer; I will forever be grateful to SPC for their assistance in financial and educational support for this trip.
– Laurel, SPC Galápagos Islands Study Abroad Program, May 2026
When the plane first landed in the Galapagos, it was such a surreal moment. I just remember looking out of the window and thinking, is this real? My classmates and I were all so excited. The environment was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was truly a living laboratory complete with rich biodiversity from species such as Darwin’s finches, iguanas, Galapagos tortoises, etc. Being from Florida, it was amazing to see elevation (volcanoes) and an environment full of endemic species. As a biology major, I’ve spent semesters learning about evolution, adaptation, and of course, Darwin’s finches. Seeing lessons learned in the classroom firsthand put things into perspective. At a first glance, the Darwin finches may look the same, but they are completely different species that evolved to fill different niches. Upon arrival, just outside the Baltra airport there were already different species of finches spotted.
There was never a dull moment when studying abroad. We saw giant Galapagos tortoises roaming around and went down into the Lava Tunnels, which felt like a journey to the center of the earth on Santa Cruz Island. On lsabela Island, we biked along uphill coastal trails, hiked the second largest volcanic caldera in the world, and snorkeled with green sea turtles and reef sharks! We also made sugarcane syrup at a farm and did a night patrol to monitor sea turtle nests. During my free time I was lucky enough to snorkel with a playful sea lion. Galapagos was such an incredible place, and their conservation efforts really did show. There was no liter laying around, and the locals had respect for the land. It was almost like being in an exotic zoo every day, except the animals were thriving in their natural habitats. The food was also really good! I learned from my time there to put popcorn in soup, which was surprisingly good. It was an experience that I will never forget, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to explore such an amazing place!
– Summer, SPC Galápagos Islands Study Abroad Program, May 2026
If I could have told 10-year-old me that one day she would visit the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, she would have lost her mind. After years of obsession with the endemic species of the Galapagos and countless nature documentaries, I grew up on, seeing everything in person changed my life. From the famous giant tortoises to the playful sea lions, all the species seen in the Galapagos did not cease to amaze and ignite overwhelming happiness with every encounter. Words cannot truly describe the incredible experience I had on the islands with my professors and classmates.
The islands of Santa Cruz and Isabella offered incredibly diverse landscapes, ranging from recent hardened lava flow coastlines to rainforest with daisy trees in the highlands within a short 30-minute drive. We had an amazing journey hiking Volcán Chico on Isabella that gave us astonishing views of how lava shaped the land and coast. All our incredible tour guides taught us everything they knew about the land and its endemic species found nowhere else in the world.
The people of the Galapagos offered truly eye-opening experiences for the love and dedication they have to their islands and nature, offering true lessons of sustainability and conservation. I will carry all the amazing memories of wildlife encounters, vast landscapes, and cultural experiences alive in my memory and my everyday life! What an incredible opportunity!
– Reese, SPC Galápagos Islands Study Abroad Program, May 2026
Growing up I always watched shows and movies such as Dora the Explorer, Moana, and Adventure time. All of these have one similar overarching storyline and that is to see what lies beyond the comfort of your home and neighborhood and see what adventures await. Ever since I can remember I have loved to see and experience different cultures and languages. There has only been one true thing that held me back from seeing the world and that was fear of the unknown and going alone. The study abroad program gave me the safety and security I needed in order to travel for the first time without my family. Boy was it worth it, in the words of Moana “there is so much more beyond the reef”. I experienced culture, I spoke with locals, I ate the local cuisine, I learned more ASL and LESCO then I thought possible in one week, I made a friendship that I know will follow us through the interpreting program and far into the future, and last but definitely not least I learned the meaning and beauty of living PURA VIDA.
Not only did this program give me the opportunity to immerse myself in ASL and strengthen my signing skills but it also helped to bring my past learned Spanish back into use. Alongside Spanish and ASL I also learned the beautiful language of LESCO which is the sign language of Costa Rica. Unfortunately with all good and beauty there has to be some ugly and that rule applies even in Costa Rica. Speaking with the local Deaf individuals I learned how little opportunities they have in comparison to hearing people. Costa Rica does not have any video services to facilitate communication for Deaf individuals, this includes at home needs and emergencies such as hospital visits. Even if there were relay services in Costa Rica there are only 45 interpreters in the country which is not nearly enough. When asked what a women does in case of and national or person emergency and how she stays in formed she replied with “I cannot live alone”. The idea that an adult that is completely capable of living alone and taking care of herself can not due so because the country does not have the technology or resources to allow and aide in her communication was eye opening.
It was also sad to hear the stories about the lives of the children before they entered the Deaf school and how they were bullied and viewed as less than by not only their peers but also their parents. This fact was largely contradicted by the absolute joy and excitement that could be seen by the students using LESCO to communicate and no one being disabled in the eyes of one another. The students were also elated to see us so open and willing to learn their language and try our hardest to communicate because in that moment they got to be the smartest person in the room teaching their language to the Americans and that is a sight I will never forget. While there were some sad times on this trip they were things that I needed to see to understand what the Deaf community experiences on a daily basis as well as how deafness is viewed outside of America.
– Ashley, SPC Costa Rica (ASL) Study Abroad Program, May 2026
Studying abroad in Costa Rica has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The trip wasn’t just fun, but educational! I got to learn Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO) and used what I learned to converse with the local Deaf community there. It was a very interesting experience as we were using four different languages to communicate; English, Spanish, ASL, and LESCO. Learning LESCO and being able to talk with the Deaf community there was an eye opener as they shared their experiences of growing up Deaf in Costa Rica with us.
As for the fun adventures, we went on a lot! First, we went to the La Paz Waterfall which was gorgeous! Then we went on a hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, I got to see various species of birds that we do not have in Florida. The most adventurous thing we did was zip lining… I almost let my anxiety keep me from doing it, but I did it anyway; and I don’t regret it! Zip lining was the highlight of the trip for me, as I could see the vast green mountains of Monteverde. Costa Rica is known for their beautiful scenery and I now see why. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to go on this study abroad with the ASL program at SPC and I hope there’s another one in the future!
– Zoe, SPC Costa Rica (ASL) Study Abroad Program, May 2026
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
It was life changing in more ways than one, and it is hard to put into words how much this trip meant to me. The Lord I serve used this experience to show me how to feel truly alive, step out of my comfort zone, and see life from a new perspective. Being in Costa Rica let me experience the culture through the food, the language, the people, and the beautiful everyday moments. As a CODA with Deaf parents, this trip connected deeply to who I am and how I see the world. I was able to grow not only as a traveler, but also as someone who has always lived between the Hearing and Deaf communities.
I am super grateful that I was able to experience such an amazing trip, and honestly, I wish I could go back. I see the world much more differently now because this experience helped me understand culture, language, and identity in a deeper way. Learning about LESCO, Costa Rica’s sign language, showed me how many different versions of sign language there are and helped me connect it back to my own life as a CODA. It also deepened my understanding of the Deaf and Hard of hearing community and what Deaf people experience in another country, beyond what I knew from growing up with Deaf parents. This gift of a trip made possible through study abroad and the scholarship, changed me in ways I never expected and opened my eyes far beyond the small bubble I was in before.
– Ezria, SPC Costa Rica (ASL) Study Abroad Program, May 2026
On our first full day we had the opportunity to walk around the Dublin zoo with one of the conservation staff members. She talked to us about the different big cats in the zoo and explained how the habitats are created for them. We visited the zoo’s veterinary hospital and spoke with one of the veterinarians. Afterwards we had free time to walk around the zoo and explore everything it has to offer.
We also had the opportunity to visit Wild Ireland. This sanctuary is home to many native animals that once roamed freely through Ireland. The sanctuary provides every animal with a habitat that is tailored to their specific needs. We had the opportunity to get a VIP experience of seeing where the animal’s food is prepared and then feeding time for the bears. This was an amazing opportunity to learn about the native species to Ireland and their habitats.
– Peyton, SPC Ireland (Vet Tech) Study Abroad Program, March 2026
