Name: Kaitlyn Day

Program: Summer Semester 2026 – Valpo Study Center in Costa Rica

Location: Heredia, Costa Rica

 

My Summer in Costa Rica 

 

This summer, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in Costa Rica, where I took a Spanish course, lived with a host family, traveled around the country on weekends, and completed an internship at a local school. Living with a host family gave me the chance to experience Costa Rican culture firsthand and practice Spanish every day. Outside of school and my internship, I enjoyed weekend trips and exploring different parts of the country, which allowed me to experience the natural beauty, culture, and communities of Costa Rica. For my internship, I worked alongside the school counselor at Centro Educativo Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, a private school serving preschool, elementary, and secondary students. I helped with social-emotional learning activities, built relationships with students, and participated in individual student support sessions. I even had the opportunity to lead two social-emotional learning lessons. This experience allowed me to connect my studies in Social Work and Spanish to a real-world setting while learning more about school-based social work and the Costa Rican education system.

Overall, my time in Costa Rica helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally. I became more confident speaking Spanish, developed a greater understanding of another culture, and gained valuable experience working with students. I would highly recommend a similar study abroad or internship experience to other students because it provides an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone, gain practical experience, and learn in ways that cannot happen inside a classroom alone.