By Who are you? Where are you from? Year and major?
I’m Emma Barron from Whitefish, Montana. I’m a sophomore double major in health sciences and public health on the pre-physician assistant pathway.
When was your trip and where did you go?
Our trip was Dec. 28, 2023-Jan. 10. We flew in and out of San José, Costa Rica, and went all around Costa Rica.
Where was your faculty-led study abroad, and what class allowed you to attend?
My faculty-led study abroad trip was to Costa Rica, and the class that allowed me to have this experience was PSY-289 Health & the Human Experience, which focused on mental health and well-being.
Why did you choose to study abroad?
I chose to study abroad because first, my mom studied abroad for a summer semester at Oxford University in England and absolutely loved her experience. She has always encouraged me to look into a study abroad program. When I started to tour colleges, we would always ask what their study abroad programs looked like, and I remember that when I toured Carroll College, they said they have faculty-led trips that are supported directly by Carroll, and I knew that one day I would want to go on one. In high school, I was scheduled to go to Costa Rica with our Spanish Club, but COVID-19 caused that trip to be canceled. So, traveling to learn in Costa Rica has always been an item on my bucket list, so I am grateful for the opportunity to finally learn about Costa Rica while being fully submerged in the culture. Lastly, I am a health sciences/public health major, and this trip focused on overall well-being and how people in Costa Rica are so much happier. I think this trip and the experience and knowledge I gained from it will help me as I enter the healthcare profession because my ultimate goal is to make people feel better, mentally and physically. Part of that comes with being happy, so this experience helped prepare me for my future career, which is part of Carroll’s “Not for School, but for Life” motto. Getting to see the “Not for School, but for Life” experience in another country was incredible.
Which topic during the class was your favorite?
My top topics of learning were Awe and Fascination, Adventure, Physical Activity, Gratitude, Immersion in Nature, and Novelty and Learning. But if I had to choose my favorite, it would be the Awe and Fascination Day. This day included a tour by boat, where we explored a new point of view with island snorkeling. This evening, we also experienced the sunset on the beach. We saw four humpback whales and sea turtles on our way to the island – that was truly fascinating. We were in the middle of the ocean in their habitat, just watching them do their daily activities. Then going snorkeling was amazing to see underneath the water at a whole other environment and all of the fish that are just below the surface. Then we went back and boogie-boarded in some pretty big waves, which was pretty fun, and then finished our day with a discussion on Awe and Fascination. This discussion was so special, as we each shared a moment, person, or reason we have felt awe in our lives, and this emotional discussion made me realize how grateful I am for the life I get to live and how grateful I am for this trip. Also, I will add that being on an island in the middle of Costa Rica in January was amazing.
What were some of your favorite things to do outside of class?
My favorite thing to do once our structured learning activities were completed for the day was, exploring the towns we were staying in. We stayed in different hostels all over the country, and getting to go out and try new foods and interact with locals was awesome. Some of my favorite memories were made during these times, and the friendships I made with my fellow classmates from Carroll were great to be able to bring back to campus.
How was the culture different from here and where you were at?
The largest cultural differences were the food, people, and driving. All of the food was incredible and so fresh. It tasted like everything was fresh off the plant, cut up, and put on the plate. I miss the food so much. The people were all so friendly and welcoming. They wanted to share their country with us and helped us to feel at home while we were there. Also, they are very family-oriented, and most will live with their grandparents and parents until they are married. Lastly, the driving was very fast and a little crazy. Lots of very fast decisions were made, and I am thankful that our drivers kept us safe because this was unlike any driving I have done or seen in the United States.
Would you recommend studying abroad and why?
Traveling to Costa Rica to study abroad with Carroll College and Dr. Julian Nolen, a professor in the psychology department, was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The experiences we had were once in a lifetime, and to share these with fellow Carroll students is something I will never forget and be forever grateful for. Learning things in another country and being hands-on is better than any classroom experience has given me. I am thankful that Dr. Nolen and Carroll put this experience together and that I have lasting friendships with the people who went. I would recommend studying abroad to anyone who has the slightest interest in wanting to learn and see something new. It is totally worth it and something you will not regret and will remember for the rest of your life.
