Emmanuella Osei
AIFS Abroad in San José, Costa Rica: January
Major: Public Health, Sociology
Pre-departure (January 2, 2025)
Hola a todos// Hello everyone!
My name is Emmanuella Osei, and I’m a junior at UMBC. I’m so excited to share my study abroad journey with you all! This will be my second study abroad experience while at UMBC; My first was during the summer of 2023 (faculty-led study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa). This winter, I’m heading to San José, Costa Rica, as part of the January Term Study Abroad program through AIFS.
Costa Rica is a country in Central America, located between Nicaragua and Panama. I have always wanted to visit a Spanish-speaking country, and I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to do so. Through this program, I’ll be taking a three-credit course titled Costa Rican Health Care and Tropical Medicine at Veritas University. As someone passionate about public health, I chose this course because it aligns perfectly with my interests. The course will provide valuable insights into the Costa Rican healthcare system and I’ll also learn more about tropical diseases common in Costa Rica. Overall, this experience will deepen my understanding of global health practices and enhance my ability to contribute to public health efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.
Another exciting aspect of this program is that it includes a homestay. For the entire duration of the program, I’ll be living with a local family. Initially, the thought of this was extremely nerve-wracking, but after learning more about my host family, I’m looking forward to it. This will be a great opportunity to immerse myself in Costa Rican culture and experience their way of life. I’m hopeful that spending time with a local family will also help me improve my Spanish language skills!
From the research I have done, I know that Costa Rica is a beautiful country. Costa Rica has a tropical climate and is also known for its biodiversity. In fact, it’s one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to about 5% of the world’s species. I’m excited to experience this firsthand and see everything Costa Rica has to offer. While most of my time will be spent in San José (the capital and largest city), the program will also take us on excursions to other parts of the country, including Manuel Antonio. I’m also looking forward to trying new foods. I’ve heard Costa Rican cuisine is delicious! I know this experience will push me out of my comfort zone, but I’m ready to embrace it.
As far as preparation goes, I’m almost done packing! I have also reviewed the course syllabus provided by the program and completed my orientation modules. This morning, my host family reached out to me, and I’m excited to meet them in person in just a few days!
I’m really looking forward to this January Term study abroad experience, and I’m confident it will be incredibly fulfilling. I can’t wait to make lasting memories and continue learning along the way. I’m also excited to document my journey as a UMBC Education Abroad Ambassador this winter!
See you when I land in Costa Rica! Adiós!
In country post (January 9, 2025)
¡Pura Vida!
Hello everyone! I’m so excited to share an update on my first week here in Costa Rica. I arrived in San José on January 4th after a 5-hour flight from Washington D.C. (IAD). After landing, we made our way through immigration and customs. I knew this would be an adventure when the officer greeted me in Spanish and asked what I would be doing here, expecting me to respond in Spanish—let’s just say I wasn’t exactly prepared for that moment, haha! Thankfully, with my basic Spanish skills and some help from my peers, we got through it. Once we got out of the airport, my program (AIFS) drove us to our homestays, to meet our host family! I didn’t know what to expect but thankfully they were incredibly welcoming and made us feel at home. I’m living with two other students from my program which makes it even better. My host mom gave us a tour of their house and shared all the essential details we needed to know. I couldn’t believe I was finally here!
On my second day, I woke up around 7 a.m. to get ready for a long day ahead. My host mom made us gallo pinto, a traditional Costa Rican breakfast made of rice and beans, often served with eggs. I learned this is a popular dish here and I really enjoyed it. After breakfast, our host mom walked us to Veritas University (the school I’m taking a course at), which was just a short 5-minute walk from our house. We met up with the other students in my program, and from there, we boarded a bus for an orientation session at a hotel. It was an exciting day meeting everyone in my program (about 20 others) and enjoying a guided tour of San José.
Day 3 (Monday) marked the first day of school! We walked to the university for class, and I was excited to start my course: Costa Rican Healthcare System and Tropical Medicine. My professor is a doctor so it’s been great to learn about her experiences within the healthcare system. The class is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m each weekday and the lectures have been really engaging. After our first class, our program showed us how to use the local bus system to get to the mall, since there are some students in my program staying here for an entire semester.
On day 4, after class, my new friends and I decided to visit a popular tourist destination called Hacienda La Chimba. We went on a nearly three-hour hike, and one of the highlights was taking pictures at the famous “La Mano” (The Hand). It was a great way to bond with others in my program and explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica. 
On day 5, we took a trip to Cartago, a province about an hour and a half from San José. There, we visited the Irazú Volcano, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica. The last eruption was in 1963; it’s unpredictable when it could erupt again. Unfortunately, it was rainy and cloudy, so we couldn’t get a clear view of the volcano, but it was still an exciting experience. We also visited the Basilica de los Ángeles, a beautiful and famous Catholic church. Costa Rica is a Catholic country by law and each year, on August 2nd, many Costa Ricans make a religious pilgrimage to honor the Virgin Mary by traveling on foot.
On day 6, we had class as usual, and after class, my friends and I visited the Mercado Central (Central Market) in downtown San José. It’s a bustling market filled with shops and vendors, and it was the perfect place to pick up souvenirs. I also had the chance to practice my Spanish while buying items!
Today marks my seventh day in Costa Rica! After class, we packed up for a weekend trip to Manuel Antonio, organized by my program. As I write this, we’re on our way, and I am so excited. Tomorrow we have a guided tour through the Manuel Antonio park to explore wildlife. We just made a stop a few minutes ago to see some crocodiles, so I’m looking forward to experiencing more of Costa Rica’s biodiversity this weekend, and spending time at the beach! I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.
¡Pura Vida!
(“Pura Vida” is a common expression in Costa Rica, and it literally translates to “pure life” in English. However, its meaning goes beyond the literal translation. It embodies a way of life and a mindset. In Costa Rican culture, Pura Vida is used as a greeting, a farewell, or an expression of happiness, contentment, and appreciation for life. It reflects the laid-back, positive attitude that Costa Ricans (or “Ticos,” as they call themselves) are known for.)