San Jose, Costa Rica

Students from the College of Arts and Sciences will chronicle their experiences learning about Costa Rica in IDH4200/IDH4000 (offered by the Honors College at the University of South Florida). Students spent two months learning the history, economy, culture and religion of Costa Rica before traveling to San Jose during Spring Break to add first-hand experience to their book knowledge. While in the country, students will volunteer through IVHQ: International Volunteer Headquarters to do construction.

 

Sam's Vlog | March 27, 2011

 

 

 

Jenna's Vlog | March 20, 2011

 

 

Lindsey's Vlog | March 20, 2011

 

Tyler's Blog | Feb. 16, 2011

The trip to Costa Rica will be here quite soon. So far class has been enjoyable and I can't wait for the week long trip to begin. This trip will be a new experience because I have never even gone outside of the United States before. Thankfully, however, I am globally knowledgable and this trip should lend itself well to both helping those in need and improving my understanding of other cultures. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that I am glad that I took this class because I would never have even thought of going to Costa Rica. Even better our trip to Costa Rica will naturally freshen up my limited Spanish abilities.

Apart from my thoughts about the overall trip itself I have also enjoyed class. Where else would I watch and learn salsa in a classroom? I like the class because it teaches us about Costa Rica without going overboard and giving us quizzes and tests everyday. Instead the class has a very "real" feel to it especially with the youtube videos. I think it would be good if we talked a little bit more about the actual trip though. The way the class is structured is perfect for learning about the country, service, and having fun. The only possible improvement I could think of is not having class start so early even though it is very beneficial!

Finally apart from the pure fun of traveling outside of the United States, is the purpose of our trip. I have participated in Habitat for Humanity before and it didn't even feel like I was volunteering it was just a good thing to be doing. This will be a great activity for us to do in Costa Rica because many areas, especially downtrodden ones, could use some help in having basic housing essentials. Also the aspect of us merely being in Costa Rica will introduce us to the culture and lifestyle that is difficult to pick up through lecture and textbook alone. Hopefully this trip will give me a more thorough understanding of Costa Rica after visiting. Even more important to me, is our group's contribution to the area we are visiting and the improvement of our global literacy and cultural diversity understanding.

-Tyler
Biomedical Sciences Freshman

Lindsey's Vlog | Feb. 16, 2011

-Lindsey
Biomedical Sciences Junior

Krystyn's Pre-Trip Thoughts | Feb. 16, 2011
Just thinking about the trip and all that I have learned, I am not sure where to even begin. There's the culture and the packing and the service and the traveling and the landscape and the people – it's all so exciting! I remember applying for the course last November and thinking about how far away March was. I was going to have to wait months before I could go to Costa Rica. Now, the trip is less than a month away and I still feel like there is so much to do and so much to learn.

I have never been anywhere outside of the United States, except for Trinidad which is where my family is from. It has been so long since I have traveled, as a matter of fact, that I had to renew my passport. I am actually going home this weekend to pick it up. Unfortunately, that means that I will miss the Habitat for Humanity that the class is participating in. I have worked with Habitat for Humanity before, however, and it was one of the most fulfilling things that I have done. I completely enjoyed working on the finishing touches of the home we were building and it was just amazing to meet the couple who was moving in to the home. They were extremely moved by everyone's efforts and it reminded me how big of an impact I could have on people's lives.

Making a difference is one of the things that excite me the most about the trip to Costa Rica. I love working with Habitat for Humanity and I love doing what I can to help others. As a part of an internship, I have established a student organization on campus. The main focus of the organization is leadership and in spirit of taking charge, I have made service an important aspect of the NSLS. In order to make the transition from a pending member to an official member, students are required to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Sure, donating money is helpful, but it just does not compare to the impact that can be made when people are willing to provide their time and effort. I wish I could pack the other members in my luggage, but overweight luggage is way too expensive these days.

I have never been so willing to spend my Spring Break waking up early to work out in the sun, but the fact that it's the Costa Rican sun makes it all worth it. The chance to dive straight into a new culture is thrilling for me. I have always wanted to travel, but I have never really had the opportunity to. I am confident that this trip to Costa Rica will be the highlight of my freshman year. The course alone has taught me so much about Costa Rica and I am prepared to make my own comparisons with what I have learned and what I actually experience since the textbooks and news articles that I have read seem to be aimed at the "American tourists". Granted, they do not portray Costa Rica as perfect, but I feel that there are some things that the authors sugar coat. As a psychology major I found the sections dedicated to the family and community relationships the most interesting. I love the fact that they are close with one another and I applaud the efforts of the women to break through their glass ceiling. As I am also a business major with a focus in organizational development, I am curious about the details of the double standards and the measures that they are taking to make things fair for the labor force. I wonder what kind of legislature is being processed, if any, which are similar to our acts which encourage civil rights and equal pay. Although I probably will not learn about their organizational structure during the trip, there is always the possibility for me to begin research when I get back.

Having been immersed in the culture, I will come back just as excited as I am more, if not more. I am already growing more and more passionate about the people and the land and I believe that spending a week in Costa Rica will only intensify this interest. I will be able to reflect on this trip as my first true experience abroad and it will always be an important milestone for me. Because I expect the trip to be so influential, I also expect to want to continue working on service for Costa Rica if not other regions abroad.

I can't wait :)

-Krystyn
Psychology Freshman