The time I spent in Costa Rica was so significant and breathtaking that I will never forget it. Before even the study abroad officially started, I am so incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to explore the capital of San José. It allowed me to find a lot of real local wonders like local favorite restaurants and parts of town. Like, I was able to discover many local parks with statues or art installations. Another favorite aspect of the city I found so interesting when I discovered it was the quantity of Korean culture, specifically, that is present in San José with numerous restaurants and Barrio Chino, a walkable street in the city that’s really themed around it including an arch at the entrance of the area.
The study abroad itself was just as amazing. We were able to visit so many sanctuaries during our stay there and I hope we were able to provide a great service to both the workers and the animals while we were there. We were able to see how different sanctuaries went about accomplishing their mission statement regarding conservation and doing what’s best for the animals in their care. With that in mind, what we mainly did there was helping to feed the animals, fixing their enclosures, cleaning their enclosures, or making enrichment for them that varied from place to place. Which was quite interesting seeing how each place did things, even if they had same species.
Otherwise, the second highlight of the study abroad was the visits to the local tourist spots like a local coffee plantation, a waterpark based around a hot springs, a national park with a beach, a theater, a waterfall, and a chocolate factory because it let us really enjoy the country as traditional tourists, including being able to collect souvenirs, while being on the study abroad so it didn’t feel like we missed out on anything by on an educational trip in a different country.
Lastly, the third highlight of trip was my fellow classmates who I was able to share this experience with. I didn’t know most of the people going into this trip which added to the stress prior to the trip; however, I am happy to report that we all got along so well on this trip with many of us trading social media handles before departing for our home towns amidst the admittedly tearful goodbyes. It is really due to them that the harshest parts of the trip when things didn’t go to plan (as things do) or the weather was not kind (because it is the rainforest) that the trip was still enjoyable which gave us all fond memories to look back on, I only hope I was able to do the same for them in return.
– Haeley , SPC Costa Rica Vet Tech Study Abroad Program, July 2025