Science Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

Altogether, I had a great time. We got to see so much and I believe the pacing of the program was great, spending the right amount of time at each location. La Fortuna was my favorite! Traveling in a large group brought up trouble with waiting on students, health issues, etc. but I still think they were able to make the most of it. Having a flexible schedule and being open to adjustments definitely helps. Our guide Rodrigo and our bus drivers were the best!

I really enjoyed this experience. My review is based off of a free trip less expenses such as food and transportation, as I received scholarships for this course. I do know that many students paid upwards of $7,000 on this study abroad trip, which I do find to be a bit much. Considering we were staying in $80 / night hotels with non-working lights, mediocre amenities, and bad air conditioning and bedding coupled with the scarcity of included meals, the figure should have been more around $3,000 without airfare cost. I do not understand how the cost was so high for what was received. I also found living in the dorms with random Costa Rican people to be fun, but a bit restrictive. The morning meals were literally eggs, a piece of bread, and really bad coffee. I was also staying in a really small bunk bed which was uncomfortable. Staying in an affordable hotel would have been better. Next time I recommend the school book out Ester’s Place which is closer to the tech campus and run by a lovely lady who has many rooms available in her home hotel. She also had a much better breakfast and the cost was only $65 / night per person. I stayed here my first night flying in on the 12th and wish I could have gone back but due to restrictions I was not allowed. My family of four at the time in 2019 went on an all inclusive cruise to Italy, Spain, and France for under $10,000 with included meals, drinks , stay, etc. So this trip being $7,000 + for just ONE PERSON is a bit crazy. Regardless, the activities were awesome and for me, price was not an issue as stated before. So, my review without price factored was it was amazing. Great tour guide Rodrigo was so knowledgeable and a very nice guy. He took us to authentic places and not just generic touristy places. I enjoyed seeing the stark contrast in sustainability initiatives between exotic resorts, quasi-governmental organizations, and design firms. I truly did get a wonderful experience with understanding how firms work and the metric process used to gather sustainability info, as well as how to tell if a company may be kind of BS-ing the situation with their sustainability initiatives, or holding themselves accountable. I loved the zip line tour and the coffee and cocoa bean tour. The history tours around the towns was cool, but truly was not necessary. I feel we could have just had an informational PDF sent to us instead of touring these relatively boring historical landmarks. Activities are always more fun than learning about history. I think it would have been much more effective to fly into Liberia, tour the beach and Penninsula Papagayo’s HOA office, then make our way back to San Jose and visit firms, then fly out of SJO. The amount of time driving was frustrating. Or, instead, we would just fly into SJO and tour the Caribbean side of things and skip the western side of Costa Rica altogether. This way the time could be allocated more effectively. I also wish the professors would have split us into groups so we could have gotten to know everyone. There were certain folks I never really got to have conversations with because the groups would naturally clique and we never had forced exposure to each other. Overall it was a wonderful trip and, with a few adjustments I know the next one will be awesome as well!

Coming to TTU Costa Rica was an amazing experience and allowed me to try lots of new and unique things. Rodrigo was the absolute best and the entire trip wouldn't have been half as great and smooth without him! Gonna miss him back in the states, thank you so much for an amazing time!

Getting involved in Texas tech Costa Rica study abroad program was one of the best decisions I made during my time at Texas Tech. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with even better people. I was able to intern and gain new experiences in my industry while also being immersed into a great culture.

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Living in such a beautiful and biodiverse country made every day feel like an adventure from exploring rainforests and beaches to spotting wildlife I had only seen in documentaries. The academic experience was equally valuable; classes often connected directly to the local culture and environment, which made learning feel much more meaningful than in a typical classroom. Beyond academics, the biggest impact came from the people. Interacting with locals and fellow students from around the world helped me grow more confident, open minded, and adaptable. I also improved my Spanish and gained a deeper appreciation for Costa Rica’s “pura vida” lifestyle, which emphasizes balance, community, and enjoying life. Overall, studying abroad in Costa Rica expanded my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. It challenged me, inspired me, and left me with friendships and memories that will stay with me long after the program ended.

I enjoyed Texas Tech-Costa Rica! It was an eye opener because it was my first time out of the country ever and I met so many nice people during my time there. The staff, locals, and other students were amazing to meet. I knew this was a great opportunity because I knew I wanted to experience the amazing study abroad experiences that Texas Tech had to offer and Costa Rica did not disappoint! I will always recommend students to experience Texas Tech Costa Rica, I may not be studying abroad there again since I am graduating May 2026, however I will be back to Costa Rica to get out of the states for a while!

I have been on quite a few trips, but this one was probably my favorite ever. Not only was it an extremely school centric trip, where we got lessons and visits from experts almost every day, but we also got to experience the culture and beauty of Costa Rica. If I had the time and money to, I would go on this trip again.

My study abroad experience in San Juan, Costa Rica was truly unforgettable. The program struck a perfect balance between academics, cultural immersion, and exploration. Throughout the semester, we took weekend trips to experience the many sides of Costa Rica—from its rich culture and history to its incredible natural landscapes. These excursions made the country come alive in a way that went far beyond what you could learn in a classroom. The administration and faculty played a huge role in making the experience so positive. They were always supportive, organized engaging activities, and made sure we felt safe and comfortable while living and traveling in a new country. At the same time, they encouraged us to explore and truly experience Costa Rica rather than just observe it as tourists. The classes themselves were another highlight. The professors managed to present the material in a way that was both informative and entertaining, which made learning feel engaging instead of routine. It was clear that the academic quality of the program was never sacrificed for the travel experience—instead, the two complemented each other perfectly. One of the most meaningful parts of the program was the sense of camaraderie that developed among the students. Sharing the experience of living, learning, and traveling together created strong friendships that lasted long after the program ended. Years later, I still keep in touch with several of the friends I made during that time. Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart because of this program. It offered the rare opportunity to combine classic travel experiences with genuine cultural immersion, all while maintaining a high standard of education. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a study abroad experience that is both academically enriching and personally meaningful.

Honestly during my time in Costa Rica I had a blast, there was always something to do. Whether you’re a thrill seeker a museum goer or you like a more relaxed vibe there was always something for everyone and as someone who appreciates all those things, I can definitely say I had a great time.

I want to start off by saying that this trip changed how I view my interactions with my friends, family, and teachers. I went with a group of 14 students which allowed everyone to have one on one time with the wonderful instructors and become close with all the other students. Because this program is so special (compared to other research fields, bioinformatics is less mainstream), I received a scholarship to attend from a local organization and I highly recommend speaking with your community about raising money for your trip. Some of my information may be outdated but most of it should be similar. Day to day: My trip included eight days of classroom learning (broken up by activities such as day and night hiking, swimming in waterfalls, zip lining, coffee plantation tour, bat tour, horseback riding to a natural hot spring, grocery store shopping (so much fun because you get to experience everyday life in Costa Rica). We also got a considerable amount of time to explore a local town to get souvenirs and experience new food. For the first eight days we spent half the day in the classroom working on our original projects and the other half doing activities (first and last day were just research). The last two days were spent by the cost and celebrating having accomplished our research goals! We went swimming both days and went on a sea turtle patrol at night. We also got to take a boat to a snorkel area and we had guides to show us the different fish. They did not have enough fins for small feet so those of us who were strong swimmers swam without fins but the water was very calm so it ended up being ok but a bit tiring. We also got to tag a sea turtle! Food: I would classify myself as a pickier eater than the average person, but I had something to eat every single meal. They had accommodations for all sorts of dietary restrictions so if food is something you’re worried about, don’t (I will say that I brought some high-protein energy bars just in case and I did occasionally need to rely on those. If you’re an extremely picky eater I would recommend bringing something to supplement meals with because there is a lot of physical activity on this trip). There was coffee and hot chocolate pretty much 24/7 and fresh cookies on occasion. Pro tips: -Make mochas during your work breaks. -Pick a room and hang out with the other students. -Bring cards or come prepared with games like truth or dare/never have I ever. -Journal! My roommates and I had a journaling session every night before bed (this can just be on your phone). -Bring water shoes, rash guard/sun-shirt, and leggings to snorkel in, there were some jellyfish. They were too bad but they were sometimes annoying and I was happy to have my leggings when I was snorkeling. -If you can bring more than one swimsuit…I wore a soaking wet swimsuit multiple times because I made this mistake. -Do the pre-trip work!!! -If you don’t get along with another student, talk it out. Avoid drama. -Be open, this trip will push you, but it’s worth it. -Everyone on your trip is going to be super interesting and smart—including you. Don’t doubt your abilities <3. If you’re thinking about doing this trip, do it. P.s. Thanks for reading, I know this was a long review but I had so much to say. I hope you have a great time on this trip or wherever your adventures take you :). Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I apologize if there are any typos…

the turtle conservation project was great, i went at the end of the turtle season so very very layed back we had a lot of down time which was good in some ways but did get a little slow at times. my host family was amazing and the other volenteers were so fun! just be sure to bring lots of entertainment besides a phone! the turtle work can also be a little stinky at times so be prepaired for that. but overall totally worth it!!

Broadreach responded to this reviewOctober 24, 2022

Thank you for your review! I will pass your feedback along to the rest of the team - we're always looking for ways to improve each summer based on participant and family feedback!

My experience with Carpe not only transformed my world view, but it taught me a lot about living with a group and it gave me the tools I needed to be a confident independent traveller. It also helped me realize the importance of being an active member in society- whether that means becoming very involved in politics, controlling your environmental footprint, or buying from local and organic companies. It is such a privilege to be born in the United States, a country that has so much influence in the world, but it is what we do with that privilege that matters.

Just know that life is never too short because life's on choices, and if one takes their time in making the choices they truly desire (like myself in choosing to take a gap year with Carpe!), their life will become that much more longer, satisfying, and worthwhile in the long run.

Carpe helped me to grow into a stronger, happier, and more beautiful person that I can be proud of. I'm coming out of this program with more clarity of who I am, what I can accomplish, and what I want to do in my life from here. Plus there are 1000 amazing experiences from this trip that I will never forget.

its the best way to go even if you are like me and you know your college plan it's a good way to still earn college credit while exploring the world and the inner you.

Learn to channel your shit whether your angry, happy, mad, glad, sad, frustrated, etc into something positive, whether that be confiding in a group member, journaling, reading, screaming into a pillow, whatever works for you I guess. There's no such thing as escapism when you don't have access to tv, computers, phones, gyms, booze, etc. So develop a new effective coping mechanism for when stuff isn't going your way.

Its an experience that you can only get with Carpe. They provide such an amazing support system and they allow you to learn in ways you would never consider learning before. From a permaculture farm in Nicaragua to scuba diving of the coast of Honduras... it just does not get much better than that.

Even if you don't think you're coming into this trip with expectations, you are. Don't kid yourself. I'm here to tell you that many of those expectations will not become reality, but you'll have a whole slew of new experiences that you would never have imagined having. Also, buy toilet paper as soon as you can once you arrive--you won't need it everywhere, but TP availability is not what it is in the US.

Run headlong into this trip with no expectations whatsoever. This is a once in a lifetime chance to really get to know who you are and make lasting relationships with some unforgettable people.

This experience was amazing because of the mentors that took me to these countries. Carpe Diem Education makes sure the absolute best people are the ones leading the trip. Ben and Jess are my biggest role models and inspired me throughout the entire trip. Jess continues to brighten my life and email me monthly to let me know that I am cared about. Ben was my main friend on this trip that I could just hang out with and slackline between two trees when travel was making me anxious. The mentors on my trip are two people that are really confident in who they are as people and truly believe that travel will change you. Jess and Ben made me think, act and be a different person without even trying. Without Carpe Diem, and the amazing people they have lead these trips, I would not be continuing to travel. Jess inspired me to travel as much as I can, and now I can confidently say I am going to Thailand and Spain in 2016-2017 knowing that my mentors helped me get there.