Testimonies / ICDS's students

My Costa Rican study abroad experience was a true learning opportunity. Before arriving in Costa Rica my knowledge about Central American countries was quiet small. Through the Sustainable Human Development program in Costa Rica, I was able to broaden my understanding and feelings about development in Costa Rica and Central America as a whole. Many times people coming from highly developed, industrialized countries forget about the challenges and obstacles that a country faces in its quest to build a great economic, social and political system. There are numerous possibilities and many routes of action for development, but these plans have to be analyzed to match a particular country.

In my studies in Costa Rica I explored many ways of development and it open my mind to all the different parts of a society that need to be addressed to move a country from "undeveloped" to "developed." I found the program explained the "growing pains" that a country experiences from sustainable development. Because of my interest with medicine, I was able to work at a local clinic and explore the development of the medical system. This experience showed me some of the challenges Costa Rica and other developing countries face. Overall I felt the program was quiet interesting and it taught me a great deal about the many aspects of development.