Part 2: Hello from Costa Rica!

This spring, Professor Dorothy Anthony and Shirley Michaels from Keystone College have taken 12 students to San José, Costa Rica, as part of a faculty-led study abroad program customized in partnership with CEA. This program is focused on Global Health and includes site visits to four local healthcare facilities representing different clinic models, high profile guest speakers with the Costa Rican government and healthcare field, and volunteer opportunities at a low-income, rural clinic. The group is also looking forward to excursions to Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano and Puerto Viejo.

Here’s what Dorothy and Shirley have to say about their experiences so far:
Hello from Costa Rica!

On arrival day, we met Lisa Pinthose at the airport. She had the van/bus with one of our drivers, Luis. I say van/bus because we had 12 students, our study abroad coordinator, plus myself … so we are too big for a van, but too small for a regular bus. We are on tour bus/vans with 16-18 seats. It does have air conditioning, which is important, not for the heat but because of the pollution. All those laws about emissions control are definitely doing something in the U.S.

Hey, that’s a Global Health Issue. So this is the kind of discovery I am encouraging with this class. Students are keeping a journal and their mission is to identify three things related to public or global health each day. I also asked them to tell me the three things they thought were the most meaningful or fun each day.

On arrival day, we went to the hypermercado (like Walmart) store to pick up things the students might need. I asked them to bring only carryon luggage. Half brought pieces that had to be checked. I told them Murphy’s Law of traveling: the heavier your bag, the more steps you will have to climb with it. Sure enough, the Casa Universitaris had steps! Be sure to check flickr – they are magnificent steps.

Check back for more on the Keystone Costa Rica faculty-led custom program.

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