Author: Collin Thompson | Major: Biology | Semester | Summer 2024
This is an image of me in hiking on a farm in Guanacaste during a field trip for my Costa Rican Healthcare System and Tropical Medicine class. I am on the right and my friend, Alexis Ricketts, is on the left.
Three weeks into my five week program, I had a moment where it all hit me. It was like I took a step back, almost outside of my body. There I was, riding a horse on a trail through the middle of the jungle in remote Central America. I had studied abroad before, but the Amalfi Coast was a stark contrast.
I paused for a minute to really take in my surroundings and situation: How did I end up here? How many people can say they have done this? Before I could answer my own question, I was brought back to the present by the startled scream of a new friend. Her horse had pooped, and she was in disbelief. I chuckled to myself, continued on, and made a mental note to tease her about the situation once we got back.
My name is Collin Thompson. I am a biology major who had the tremendous privilege of studying abroad in Costa Rica this summer. Last summer when I was combing through the possible study abroad options, South America was at the top of my list. However, I ended up going a different direction and spent the summer on the Amalfi Coast. This time, I decided to follow my original desires. When I found this Costa Rican study abroad program, it was clear to me that it was the perfect opportunity. The classwork they offered was not only what I was interested in, but I was also able to use it directly for classes I needed back at the University of Arkansas.
The classes I took were Costa Rican Healthcare and Tropical Medicine, and Basic Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. These classes were particularly intriguing because they were courses that pertained to healthcare and medicine, but they were more unique and offered a different experience and perspective than other classes I had taken, which is important to me.
Costa Rican Healthcare and Medicine took a deeper look into the healthcare system there, which is considered somewhat unique. We analyzed their universal healthcare system, as well as how despite being a middle-income country, they offer quite affordable and high quality healthcare. I also received a transferable upper-level biology credit at the University of Arkansas. The other course, Basic Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, proved to be challenging. The class was almost entirely in Spanish, and although basic, my previous experience is in French, so most of this was new to me. Despite this, I learned several common diseases and conditions in Spanish, as well as multiple role playing scenarios for taking patients’ vitals.
Outside of classwork, the program offered novel excursions for trips I would not normally take, giving me the opportunity for more unique experiences. One particular excursion took me ziplining through the Costa Rican jungle. It was so extensive it took almost all day. I really appreciated this opportunity because it brought me way out of my comfort zone and allowed me to safely and confidently explore things I may not otherwise get the chance to.
Beyond the memorable trips and coursework, it was the distinctive daily life that I came to appreciate, making the experience even more meaningful. I lived with a host family and had a roommate whom I shared a room with. We lived on the same property as the host family, but had our own little building detached from the main house, almost like a little dorm. The university, Veritas, was right across the street from where we lived, making the daily walk for classes very easy. The host family was a sweet and caring family, and took care of us well. They did our laundry, cooked some of our dinner for us, and ultimately made us feel welcome. We even did a few bonding activities with the whole household, like visiting and getting to know them and making homemade soap! It was a great opportunity to not only expose myself to a new and different culture, but to be immersed and a part of it!
In the end, my time in Costa Rica was more than just an adventure—it was a journey of cultural immersion, personal discovery, and academic enrichment. From the vibrant local culture to the eye-opening excursions, every moment offered something new to learn and experience. Whether it was exploring the natural beauty of the country or connecting with locals through daily routines, each day deepened my understanding of a world outside my own. Combined with meaningful coursework that tied it all together, my experience in Costa Rica was truly unforgettable and left a lasting impact.