CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Study trip immerses students in Indigenous communities in Costa Rica

Many students on this excursion enrolled in the Costa Rica: A Case Study on Happiness course, taught by professor Rita Palacios, and were able to participate in the trip as part of their curriculum. The course examines the cultural, social and linguistic make-up of present-day Costa Rica to help address the question of how happiness is achieved.

Students not enrolled in the course were also eligible to participate from across the college, and were accepted through an application process that included an interview, essay and online asynchronous pre- and post-study modules. The pre-study was aimed at preparing students to engage meaningfully with their peers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders.

The two-week study excursion took place during an intersession period and included 16 students from  a variety of programs across the college. Students were joined by two faculty and two employees for the full immersion experience, living among three communities and experiencing Indigenous life, food and culture for the entire two weeks.

Having obtained designations for eco-tourism and Indigenous tourism, the communities were welcoming hosts, eager to share their knowledge and way of life.

"The Costa Rica travel abroad experience brought together a diverse group of students who wanted to experience Costa Rica another way: by visiting Indigenous communities who set their own terms of engagement and who generously shared with us stories, food and laughter," said Palacios, who joined students for the experience.  

Students shared sentiments of what they learned and what they'll carry forward in a video created to document their journey.

"This was an unforgettable, transformative experience that will have a lasting impact," added Palacios.

Sharon Williams, a professor of Indigenous Studies, also took part in the trip and found it to be rewarding for those who participated.

"It was a valuable experience for students to partake in activities led by Indigenous Peoples around arts, culinary, medicinal plants and the environmental responsibility. Also, most importantly, to experience a more humble, simple life that the Indigenous Peoples in Costa Rica live," said Williams.  

The trip was supported through the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Global Initiatives office, in partnership with Global Learning Programs, a Costa Rican organization that assisted with planning and logistics in Costa Rica as well as management of all arrangements with the Indigenous communities. 

"We aimed to provide our students with a unique overseas educational opportunity to live with Indigenous communities in Costa Rica and get firsthand lessons about their way of life," said Shawn Brake, executive dean, School of Interdisciplinary Studies.  

"We saw this as a valuable investment in our students and by the end of two weeks, students spoke of having had a transformational experience, becoming better global citizens in the process."

The trip was the first one to Central America offered across the college, and will take place again in April 2025. Information on the application process will be released this fall, with the Costa Rica: A Case Study on Happiness course available as a diploma elective in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies for the spring 2025 term.

Conestoga's School of Interdisciplinary Studies features a range of degree and diploma programs in public relations, communications, and various language and liberal studies programs that go beyond understanding of program material to help build critical thinking skills valued in any discipline or workplace.

Conestoga's Global Initiatives office focuses on education abroad programming, academic and research partnerships and exchanges, as well as virtual and on-campus activities to help internationalize the Conestoga community and create new global opportunities that support student engagement and demand.