Study abroad means learning in your courses, from the world around you, and by applying what you learn in real-life settings. Take it from Kesa, a University of Houston student who spent her summer in San José, Costa Rica, and did exactly that. Read along to hear how she made her courses abroad the cornerstone of her experience, and how they helped her grow both inside and outside of the classroom.
The Courses that Shaped My Experience Abroad
The courses I took while studying abroad in San José turned the entire country into my classroom. Both my Ecological Photography and Spanish courses taught me the importance of capturing the world around me, and they gave me the confidence to explore independently.
Capturing the World Around Me
My Ecological Photography course pushed me to interact with the Costa Rican environment in ways I never expected.
Hands-on experiments turned the campus and nearby neighborhoods into a playground for developing new skills and mastering camera functions. I learned to manipulate camera features based on the emotions and the environment and the story I wanted to tell. I also gained a better grasp of the relationships between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed and how each feature impacts the final raw image. After capturing our images, we used Adobe Lightroom to ensure our photographs were high-quality, professional-ready images,
The final project consisted of capturing the diverse animals of the region and presenting our photographs in a way that encapsulates the personality of Costa Rica. By then, I knew I was able to successfully tell a story that felt personal and professional by applying the technical skills I developed in class.
Applying Language Skills to Everyday Life
Within the first week, I realized I’d thrown myself into a challenging course. Having taken two semesters of Spanish at home, I thought the course would be a breeze. I was wrong.
My professor was dedicated to enforcing a “solo en español” rule. The class consisted of conjugating verbs on flashcards, testing our comprehension through spoken passages, and even singing Spanish songs like “Donde Estas Corazon” by Shakira. Although my professor could be strict, he made the immersion feel like a fun game and I quickly developed into a stronger Spanish speaker.
I applied those lessons on the streets of San Jose, greeting everyone in Spanish and speaking to my host mother in her native tongue. The true test of my skills came when I decided to book a solo trip to Manuel Antonio. I was able to successfully find my way around by applying the skills I learned in class. In the end, my class was more than just grades; it provided the essential tools I needed to navigate everyday interactions and excursions.
My Advice for You
Make the academic experience of study abroad the foundation of your journey. The courses you take abroad will challenge you to engage with your environment and communicate across cultures. And in the long run, it will build the professional development and adaptability you’ll carry with you long after the semester ends.
Now It’s Your Turn to Go Abroad!
Thank you, Kesa, for sharing your experience and how your courses shaped your time abroad. Incredible opportunities are waiting for you abroad too! Explore API Fall programs to find a program that’s right for you and your academic journey!
