Back in Texas
I can’t believe I’m back in the United States!
Studying abroad in Costa Rica for four months really felt like a dream now that I’m looking back.
I experienced so many things there that I could have never experienced here in Texas: trudging through the rainforest, walking through so much rain that my rainboots filled up to the brim, seeing thousands of sea turtles come up to the beaches to lay their eggs, and so much more.
It’s hard to describe how wonderful studying abroad is, and despite its ups and downs, I loved studying in Costa Rica!
It feels weird that I’m here taking classes with hundreds of people in a classroom rather than the 12 people I’ve gotten close with during the trip.
It also feels weird that I’m not surrounded by the rainforest.
As much as I want to go back to Costa Rica, it wouldn’t be the same, since I would be considered a tourist rather than someone who has lived in Costa Rica for four months.
Plus, I really missed Vietnamese food, so I don’t think I’d be able to live there.
I definitely advise undergraduates to look into studying abroad because it really broadened my mind about what’s out there.
You’ll get to bond with people as you work together to overcome the struggles of studying abroad.
In addition, you’ll bond with the professors on your trip.
For BIMS students, I definitely recommend looking into the Costa Rica Biomedical Science Semester Abroad program.
The optional two-week shadowing is a major resume booster for anyone who’s looking into either veterinary or human medicine.
I hope that more people study abroad and get to experience the same feelings I did!
