Study Abroad in Alajuela, Costa Rica

May – July 2017

This summer Prof. Sergio Escobar and Prof. Stacy Davis traveled to Alajuela, Costa Rica with twenty-four Truman students for eight weeks of intensive language and cultural immersion. Students began their study abroad experience by traveling to San Carlos to see the impressive waterfall of La Fortuna, stopping in Zarcero to enjoy the iconic gardens and cathedral of the small tourist town. Students took four classes daily at the Universidad Técnica Nacional in Desamparados, a beautiful campus located in the outskirts of the small city of Alajuela. During their time in Costa Rica, students lived with host families that soon became an extension of their own families. Other travels included day trips to the capital of San José to see various museums, parks, and the beautiful Teatro Nacional. They were also able to experience the breathtaking views of the Arenal volcano, where they zip lined through the Bosque Nuboso, rode horses through the country side, and soaked in the famous mineral baths well-known to locals for their curative properties. Students enjoyed two beach days in Jacó, where they took a riverboat tour to see crocodiles and various other types of wildlife. After independent travel on two free weekends, students completed their final exams and traveled to the amazing beach town of Guanacaste to celebrate all of their hard work and success. The twenty-four students bonded as they acquired first-hand cultural knowledge and improved their Spanish language skills immensely. The country’s essence, summarized in the famous expression “Pura Vida,” shaped their experience abroad and greatly impacted their lives as they gained independence and became global citizens more aware of ecological issues in Central America. Students served as excellent representatives of Truman State and the CML department. They returned in mid-July excited to share their Costa Rican experiences with friends, family, and Truman colleagues.