Category: Winter 2024

Exploring the Charms of Puerto Viejo

The charming sanctuary of Puerto Viejo is tucked away on Costa Rica’s bustling Caribbean coast. It is a haven of exquisite food, rich culture, and stunning natural beauty. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the laid-back charm of this tropical jewel as the aroma of delicacies flavored with coconut entices the senses and the ...

Surprise! Things I didnt know until I got to Costa Rica

Bienvenidos amigos! I’d like to admit something. When I was accepted into the ‘Healthcare in Costa Rica’ study abroad program, I was the most unprepared person on Earth for what this program would entail. I did no research, no looking into anything. Heck, I didn’t even pack until the day of my flight. On the ...

Santa Teresa: A Scene from Paradise

The beautiful town of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, is tucked away on the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is well-known for its immaculate beaches, lively atmosphere, and wealth of natural beauty. There are surfers scattered around the beach which inhabits the largest waves I’ve seen in Costa Rica. This makes it a surf ...

Say Mashallah: Studying Abroad as a Pakistani Muslim American

¡Bienvenidos and Ramadan Kareem, my blog readers! Today marks the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and I’m spending it over here in Costa Rica! I feel extremely blessed for this opportunity, and I want to share a little more about my culture and how I’ve fared living as a Muslim in ...

Pura Vida Progress: My Spanish Learning Adventure in Costa Rica

¡Bienvenidos amigos! Today I’m going to be talking about my experience learning Spanish and staying with a Spanish-speaking host family for 3 months while in Costa Rica! If you’re worried about going to a country where most people speak a different language, this article is for you!  It can be very daunting to go to ...

Feeling ‘The Fortune’

Nestled in the heart of Costa Rica, between the lush rainforests and towering volcanoes is the beautiful town and biodiversity of La Fortuna. The expansive landscapes, vibrant culture, and immense adventure offer travelers in La Fortuna an unforgettable time. At the center of La Fortuna lies the majestic Arenal Volcano which is an iconic feature ...

Your Costa Rica Study Abroad Survival Guide

Bienvenidos amigos! I’ve already written a blog about things you must pack for Costa Rica, but I thought I should go more in-depth with things I wish I had known before coming here, as well as things that will make your time here much easier! Money Costa Rica’s currency is the Colon. Before I go ...

Progress update on learning a second language

While in Costa Rica, I’ve been speaking a lot of Spanish. Although it wasn’t required to know and come to this program, it’s definitely helpful. When communicating with locals and trying to create new relationships, it goes a long way. Also, since all the students in this program live with host families, we’re able to ...

Life On Tico Time

                “Tico time is a somewhat affectionate reference to the Costa Rican habit of arriving late for appointments, dates and even business meetings” costarica.com explains. Coincidentally, I have always lived my life on Tico time, the difference is that it’s actually acceptable here! Having lived in Costa Rica for over a month now, I’ve grown accustomed ...

My Unforgettable Birthday!

In my last blog post, I shared the excitement of attending my friend’s birthday party and experiencing my first taste of American birthday traditions. Little did I know that I would soon have the opportunity to create my own unforgettable birthday memories, this time in the bustling city of New York. As the date of ...