“This experience has not only helped me improve my Spanish, but also has given me a chance to practice my leadership, teamwork, time management and budgeting skills. Most importantly, I will be coming back to Ohio State with a better understanding of myself and everything I am capable of achieving,” reflected senior Spanish and speech and hearing science major Georgia Woodruff on the ISA San Jose, Costa Rica: Spanish Language & Latin American Culture – Summer program.
“Living with a host family, taking classes alongside local students and making friends from around the world are some things that have made this experience so memorable. I also have loved navigating the city of San José, as well as exploring the beautiful mountains, forests, and beaches of Costa Rica.”
Students on this program enroll in the Spanish Language and Latin American Culture program at Veritas University, where they learn about the cultural, economic and social center of the country which more than half of the Costa Rican population calls home.
“As someone who plans to work with Spanish-speaking populations in my future career, it was very important for me to experience life in a Latin American country, not only to use the language daily with native speakers but also to learn about the culture and the people who live there,” said Woodruff.
“Through my time abroad, I have had the opportunity to navigate a new place, giving me a new sense of independence and a huge confidence boost! I’ve met so many new people, visited places across the country and stepped out of my comfort zone more times than I can count. After going to a different country on my own and living here for a whole summer, something I never thought I would be able to do, I am confident in my ability to branch out and discover new places in the future.”