Study Abroad Program
Costa Rica
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
Marcel Proust
This unique study abroad program invites students to immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the Nicoya Blue Zone in Costa Rica, a region renowned for the longevity and happiness of its inhabitants. Participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences that emphasize wellness, simplicity, and community living.
NICOYA
BLUE ZONE
In 2004, Dan Beutner, a National Geographic Explorer conducted a world-wide study to discover where in the world do people live the longest, happiest & healthiest.
Nicoya, Costa Rica, where students will travel to is designated one of the 5 Blue Zones of that world study.
Soul Space Education
Our mission is to provide the highest quality, inclusive, and innovative global education programs through a supportive structure for our diverse participants and stakeholders around the world. Customized faculty-led opportunities connect Soul Space with college and university staff and faculty around the globe, who are building programs for their own campuses.
We are proud to offer this Wellness Program and are excited to welcome you and your students to one of the most diverse countries in the world.
1
18 - 12 months out
Plan Your Program
Soul Space will work together with your Institution's faculty and support staff to create an incredible study abroad program for your students.
Our Program is completely customizable with the foundation being 'wellness'.
The duration of the program is based on your school's academic calendar. We offer Jan Term, Internships, Alternative Spring Break, and Summer Programs. We are here to accommodate.
2
6 months out
Finalize Program Details,
Enroll Your Students
Soul Space will work with faculty and support staff to finalize the programing, schedule, and logistics.
We will also assist in preparing an information package to promote the program.
Once enrollment is complete, we will work towards specific accommodations.
3
1 month out
Prepare
A Check-In 1 month prior to travel for any last minute changes etc.
An Info Session with attending students and faculty as well as our team is a great way to allow everyone to get to know each other, but also to ask questions and learn a little about what to expect.
We will work with your faculty to schedule an information session via Zoom within the last month prior to travel.
Program Overview
Emphasizing Costa Rican community dynamics, culinary traditions, and cultural nuances, this program offers a comprehensive examination of Costa Rica's environmental, political, economic, and social systems, both at local and global scales. Students will cultivate an understanding of the mechanisms driving the country's societal resilience and prosperity.
Daily yoga classes focused on asana practice, breathing techniques and mediation will prepare students physically and mentally to be present and open to new experiences, as well as serve as a basis for self-reflection. Our experienced, local healers offer Sound Healing, Breathwork and Temascal for a truly expansive experience. Field trips to local farmers markets, organic farms, and hiking in nature will be integral to the students’ experience when learning about Costa Rican culture.
As a culminating expression of their learning journey, students will manifest their acquired knowledge and insights in the form of a cookbook. This cookbook will serve as a platform to chronicle their experiences by selecting a specific recipe and intricately detailing the sourcing of ingredients, cultural significance attached to specific culinary elements, and the communal practices entwined with food preparation and consumption. Journaling everyday is required, as well as a final reflection paper at the end of the term.
The overarching mission and goals of this course encompass fostering a holistic understanding of Costa Rica's socio-cultural fabric, promoting intercultural exchange and experiential learning, and empowering students to critically engage with global issues while honoring local traditions and practices.
A Unique Student Experience
Nicoya, Costa Rica
The uniqueness of this course lies in its interdisciplinary nature, combining elements from various departmental foci. The incorporation of daily yoga, breathing exercises and meditation classes (with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology), combined with planned field trips (focused on sustainability and ecology), and cooking classes (highlighting nutrition and agricultural practices) work together to educate the student from a holistic standpoint.
The emphasis on community-engaged activities that address social, cultural, and economic aspects of Costa Rica adds a practical and experiential dimension to the learning process. During their stay, students will engage with local growers, farmer’s market vendors, cooks and yoga practitioners. This aligns with the Liberal Arts model of higher education, emphasizing a well-rounded education that integrates diverse disciplines.
The pedagogical value of travel to Costa Rica is evident in the hands-on, co experience that students would gain. Immersing students in a different environment allows for a deeper understanding of the subject matter, fostering cultural awareness and providing a context for the academic content.
The interdisciplinary and experiential approach sets it apart from typical departmental courses and makes it an ideal fit for Studying Abroad.
Why Costa Rica?
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Learning Objectives
Supported in Community
Students will achieve this learning outcome through engaging in activities and experiences that promote the following:
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Information Gathering: students will actively live among and interview local people to broaden their understanding of diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities.
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Critical Thinking: students will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, enabling them to examine their own beliefs and biases.
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Empathy and Perspective-Taking: students will cultivate empathy, allowing them to appreciate the experiences and viewpoints of others.
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Reflection and Self-Awareness: students will engage in reflection activities to deepen their self-awareness, recognize their own privileges and biases.
By actively participating in these activities and experiences, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become informed, open-minded, and responsible individuals who are attentive to diversity across the spectrum of differences.
Program Opportunities
PLANT BASED MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and tea is provided by Tico Gourmet. All meals are plant based and full of flavor. Many of the fruits, veggies, and herbs used are grown at OM jungle, where we are staying.
SOUND HEALING
A sound healing journey with Pura Vida Vibrations.90 minutes of relaxing to healing vibrations of crystal bowls, gongs, & more
BREATHWORK
Discover how powerful and healing the breath can be with a beautiful breathwork experience.
COOKING LESSONS
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AERIAL SILKS
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SURF LESSONS
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DAILY YOGA
Yoga will be offered at least once daily. Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin will all be offered. We provide mats, blocks, and other props so you can travel lighter.
CACAO CEREMONY
. Taste and experience the warming, heart opening affects of cacao yourself in this beautiful ceremony with Joy of Life Cost Rica and learn why cultures have honored it for centuries
TEMAZCAL
A traditional sweat lodge ceremony lead by Costa Rica's own Flor De La Vida
HIKES WITH JESUS
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SCUBA DIVING
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
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Learning Outcomes
Understand how their actions affect both local and global communities;
Students will achieve this learning outcome through the following:
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Study of Multidisciplinary Perspectives: students will engage with farmers, food vendors, local merchants, health practitioners in the Nicoya BLUE ZONE culminating in an understanding of how local communities have global impact.
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Analysis of Interconnectedness: students will recognize their interconnectedness with the local community by interactions/dialogue with local people and daily journaling.
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Examination of Consequences: students will examine the potential consequences of their actions by evaluating their own lifestyle choices and the immediate impact.
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Collaborative Learning: students will engage with peers to discuss and analyze the interconnectedness of their own community and local communities.
By actively participating in these activities and experiences, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to understand how their actions can impact both local and global communities, and to make informed and responsible decisions accordingly.
Understand the complexity of global systems;
Students will achieve this learning outcome through the following:
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Examination of Global Issues: students will explore global issues, such as climate change, and how these issues are shaped by and impact global systems.
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Real-World Examples: students will deepen their understanding of how global systems operate in practice and how they influence aspects of society and the environment.
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Problem-Solving: students will develop critical thinking skills to analyze complex global problems, identify underlying causes and dynamics within global systems.
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Synthesis: students will synthesize key concepts and insights, and develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with global systems.
By actively engaging in these activities and experiences, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to comprehend the complexity of global systems and to navigate them in a rapidly changing world.
Address the world’s most pressing and enduring issues collaboratively and equitably.
Students will achieve this learning outcome through the following strategies:
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Students will engage with the local community by interviewing local chefs, naturalists, farm workers and merchants. These interviews will culminate into students’ final reflections addressing advocacy efforts, community organizing or policy initiatives that contribute to positive social change.
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Instructor(s)-led collaborative activities, such as group discussions and projects, will allow students to explore potential solutions to local issues in the Nicoya region.
By actively participating in these activities and experiences, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to collaboratively and equitably address the world's most pressing and enduring issues, contributing to positive and sustainable change on a personal, local, and global scale.
