What inspired you to go abroad?
My brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a person. I recognized that the value of studying abroad extends far beyond the classroom and lasts a lifetime.
API was the perfect partner to help me realize this goal, as they guided me through every step to ensure my own experience was just as impactful and rewarding as my brother's was.
Why did you choose Academic Programs International?
A frog, captured during my hike in Sarapiqui.
I selected API Abroad because its mission aligned perfectly with my personal and academic goals.
Their team offered comprehensive guidance throughout the entire application and admissions cycle, ensuring that all my needs were met with clear communication, genuine expertise, and constant encouragement.
What was your favorite part about Costa Rica?
My favorite part was the rewarding challenge of taking what I learned in the Spanish courses I took while abroad and immediately using it to build a real connection with my host family.
API provided a great environment for this, as my placement with my host family allowed me to turn my academic lessons into daily conversations.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience extraordinary was the applied learning that transformed my tough Spanish class into total self-reliance. Navigating the Tracopa bus station and booking a solo trip to Manuel Antonio entirely in Spanish gave me the confidence to explore.
My Spanish class provided the tools necessary that helped me navigate everyday life in Costa Rica.
A photo of me at the end of my Manuel Antonio Ziplining Tour.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local API staff helped in so many ways. They were consistently communicative and showed us incredible hospitality during our first weekend, personally showing us around town to help us settle in.
They gave us great advice on how to navigate the country, provided constant guidance, and ensured our safety during every excursion. I felt secure and supported throughout my stay in Costa Rica.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone sooner to participate in more university events and connect with a wider circle of students. While I enjoyed my academic focus and the independence of exploring the city solo, I realized later how much those campus connections add to the experience.
As someone who is naturally more of a social recluse, I’m grateful that API provided a structured environment that still allowed me to make meaningful connections, even if I wish I had pushed my own social boundaries a bit more.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My typical day began by waking up at 6:45 AM. From Monday to Friday, my Spanish class started at 9:00 AM, so between 6:45 AM and 8:20 AM, I got ready, ate breakfast, and finalized assignments.
My housemate and I would then walk 15–20 minutes to school. From 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, we practiced Spanish, followed by a break to eat a snack and walk around campus until 11:00 AM, when I would return to Spanish class and finish at 12:00 PM.
Afterward, I would have lunch in the cafeteria or buy food from the fresh market down the street.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, I had four hours of free time before my Ecological Photography class, which ran from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. I used that time to finish assignments. After class, I caught the student bus back home in time for dinner, finished my homework, and got ready for bed.
On days without my Ecological Photography class, I spent my afternoons walking around downtown San José and visiting art or history museums for fun.
Photo Captured in Jaco Beach.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time, I enjoyed relaxing at home or exploring the downtown area to shop and visit museums. I spent a lot of my afternoons walking around San José, trying delicious local food, and learning about the history of the city.
One of the museums I have visited during my free time was the Museum of Gold, the Costa Rican Contemporary Art Museum, the Museum of Jade, and the National Museum of Costa Rica. I even went to the Insect Museum and a Butterfly Garden.
Having that balance between my academic schedule and my personal time allowed me to really see the culture firsthand.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a homestay, which was provided by API. My host family was incredibly welcoming, and the environment was very peaceful and vibrant.
What I liked best was the daily opportunity to practice my Spanish with my host family over breakfast or dinner. During these times, I would talk about my plans for the week and the upcoming weekend.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
A small insect, resembling a grasshopper. Captured in Carara National park.
Future participants should always plan ahead and expect the unexpected. Do not fight the delays or inconveniences that come your way; instead, work through them and learn from them.
Despite all the unfamiliarity I faced, it was the one thing that truly allowed me to grow. Unfamiliarity encourages growth and helps you adapt to new environments.
Would you recommend Academic Programs International to others? Why?
Yes. I would definitely recommend API because their team is incredibly supportive and reliable. They guided me through the application process with clear communication and ensured I felt prepared for the transition to San José. Their expertise made a complex process feel simple, and their constant support gave me the confidence I needed to succeed.
Not to mention, they offer a wide variety of countries, semester lengths, and academic disciplines. They provide a comprehensive list of courses available at your host university of interest, making it easy to plan your studies. If any mishaps or inconveniences occur, the API staff is very quick to notify you and work through those challenges together.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is experiencing the unfamiliar and learning from it. Going to a whole new country forces you to adapt and see things from a different perspective. Embracing new challenges and cultural differences is what allows you to grow into a more independent, adaptable person, and you become more confident in your own abilities.
An experimental photo taken of me by my classmate Izzy.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Working in a large hospital in Texas, I encounter Spanish-speaking patients daily. Before studying abroad in Costa Rica, it was difficult for me to understand the needs of my Spanish-speaking patients, especially during those times when immediate access to a translator wasn't available.
Although my Spanish is nowhere near advanced enough for medical jargon, it is now strong enough to handle basic communication and identify their immediate needs, allowing me to relay that information to nurses who may not speak the language.
This experience has significantly improved the level of care and support I can provide to my patients.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is about gaining practical skills and the perspective needed to connect with others. When you are used to a certain way of living your whole life, it keeps you in a box and limits you to a single point of view.
But when you travel, you begin to see how people from different sides of the world operate. Experiences such as studying abroad force you to adapt, challenge your own assumptions, and realize that there are many different ways to solve problems and approach life.
