Published Jan. 25, 2024

Going to Costa Rica was my first time out of the country. I don’t think I had many presumptions about the people or lifestyle before being immersed in this two week journey. Before, I think my scope of the world was limited to what I knew which was only the U.S. Going on this study…

By Gregory R.

Published Jan. 17, 2024

For my first time traveling internationally, I had a great time in Costa Rica. The program I was on focused on community service and working with the environment. We performed tasks such as removing trash from the beach, painting the volunteer house and watching over the sea turtle nests. These tasks were not hard to…

By Lily B.

Published Aug. 19, 2023

https://flic.kr/p/2piDfdb Our class outside of our host school. My love for Costa Rica, traveling, desire to study abroad, and interest in international social work led me to the Comparative Criminal and Juvenile Justice ten day study abroad program– something I had been interested in since I started the MSW program at Mizzou. This was a…

By Bre A.

Published Aug. 9, 2023

I had the opportunity to study abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica with the university's Department of Social Work. While there I was introduced to a new culture, language and legal system that greatly differed from the U.S. I visited the only rehabilitation center for women in the entire country, a foster home for infants…

By Destiny M.

Published June 13, 2023

During my final year at the University of Missouri, I had the amazing opportunity to further my understanding of the criminal justice system through a comparative study abroad program that focused on the differences between the U.S. and Costa Rica. A group of like-minded individuals, committed to pursuing careers for the betterment of society, were…

By Sarah T.

Published March 29, 2023

My study abroad in Costa Rica is less than three months: January 7 to March 30. This timing allowed for my family and boyfriend to visit during their spring breaks, which was also the end of my stay. My sister and I at Jacó beach! I was fortunate to have my 14-year-old sister and mom…

By Sarah T.

Published Feb. 24, 2023

People are quick to highlight the positives of studying abroad, but in reality, it’s a learning curve. I am incredibly grateful to have this experience, and I love Costa Rica, but homesickness is real, expectations aren’t always met and there are cultural differences. My host mom and roommate at a HUGE farmers market! After the…

By Erica L.

Published Feb. 15, 2023

I slowly read the words in my head, my face eliminated by the laptop screen. It was late at night. I had just turned in my final assignment for PEA_ST 4005 — a reflection on my study abroad program to Costa Rica. The paper marked the end of an exciting learning experience, but one not…

By Sarah T.

Published Jan. 24, 2023

I have been in San Jose, Costa Rica, for a little over a week now. I arrived around noon Saturday, Jan. 7, and my experience has been filled with new adventures. The day after I arrived, I toured downtown San Jose and Britt Coffee with the other CIS study abroad students. I LOVE coffee and…

By Kaitlin J.

Published Jan. 18, 2023

Group of students on Tortuguero Beach My time abroad in Costa Rica is one I will never forget! I learned all about the culture and people of Costa Rica. One of my favorite experiences was traveling to the village of Tortuguero. We saw all sorts of wildlife while we were there throughout the rainforests. There…