I had the opportunity to participate in the Costa Rica Study Abroad Program this past summer and to say the least it was the experience of a life time! The school program organized trips to main attractions such as beaches, volcanoes, coffee plantations, museums, and more while also providing many hours in the days to make your own explorations. It was really great getting to go to those main attractions on behalf of the school because before making the trip I made a list of things I wanted to do while in Costa Rica, and come to find out when we received our itinerary most of my wishes were already on schedule! Although those experiences blew my mind they were not even the best part of the vacation.. oh I mean school. Something irreplaceable happened inside of me during my Costa Rica Study Abroad Program that I can now carry with me forever. It is hard to explain because it is something everyone must experience through their own eyes and hearts but to try to sum it up there is just something about leaving all that you know and all who you know to enter a foreign land and completely immerse yourself into a new culture that completely changes you. My eyes were opened by every new animal I saw, every new food I tried, new word I learned, and the new way of life I experienced. Without realizing it I was personally growing into a more well rounded and down to earth being. Unfortunately, I could not take any of the animals home with me but I did take a new perspective on life and that is priceless. I hope everyone makes their way to study abroad because I believe it is truly life changing as long as you go with an open heart and mind.