REACH Student Success led 17 WVU students on a cultural immersion trip to Costa Rica during spring break offering an opportunity to experience pura vida — a mindset of simplicity, gratitude and joy that is woven into the country’s culture.
The group explored well-known destinations, such as San José and Quepos, as well as remote areas like Playa Blanca on the Dulce Gulf of the Osa Peninsula. They completed a walking tour of Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, visited Manuel Antonio National Park to observe wildlife and pristine beaches, swam beneath the towering Nauyaca Waterfall and sampled traditional Costa Rican cuisine. Along the way, the students encountered monkeys, sloths, lizards and a vibrant array of tropical birds and other native species.
“I was able to experience the culture of Costa Rica, from hiking to waterfalls to working with sea turtles, and the opportunity was truly amazing,” Kinzley Urban, a senior sport management major, said. “The group I traveled with was incredible, and we were able to bond throughout the experience while learning and exploring together.”
During the second half of the trip, students traveled deeper into Playa Blanca to take part in the Osa program, which is part of the Latin American Sea Turtle conservation initiative. There, they volunteered with the in-water turtle studies team, assisting researchers in monitoring life stages and collecting biometric data. The group helped study four sea turtles and gained hands-on experience in conservation science.
They also contributed to a mangrove reforestation project aimed at protecting the tree species that are vital to coastal ecosystems, improving water quality, preventing erosion and providing habitat for countless species.
For students like Lylah Gwinn, a freshman physics major, and Sarah Warder, a senior public health major, the trip was a unique opportunity to try something new.
“This was my first time traveling on a plane and out of the country, and it has made me realize the importance of studying abroad,” Gwinn said. “I am grateful I got to experience the culture of this beautiful country, while seeing the wildlife, tasting the food and living pura vida.”
“It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me see things from a new perspective,” Warder added.
This spring’s Costa Rica trip marks the third spring break study abroad opportunity led by REACH Student Success. The trips are part of an ongoing effort to expand global opportunities for the University’s first-generation and under-resourced students.
Regan Swan, REACH Student Success director, and Michelle Paden, FirstGen Initiatives coordinator, said the trips are designed to be affordable, accessible and transformative to ease the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent students from considering studying abroad.
“My biggest regret from college is that I never studied abroad,” Swan said. “I didn’t think I would ever be able to afford it. That is why it is extremely important to me that we offer funding opportunities to help students experience study abroad, as well as provide an all-inclusive trip with very little out-of-pocket expenses.”
Paden noted the noticeable growth that takes place when students are given the opportunity to study abroad.
“Each year, we have a few novice travelers in addition to those that have never been on a plane let alone to another country. I am proud to witness their growth during the week, along with the deep appreciation for the culture and way of life they gain while abroad. By the end of our trip, I am always sad knowing I do not get to see them as often once we return to campus.”
Plans are already underway for next year’s trip.