Raleigh, N.C.----Hey! I’m Liz Willis, a rising junior setter on the Wingate University volleyball team. After the conclusion of the spring semester, I spent three weeks studying abroad in Costa Rica. I feel so fortunate that I can not only play volleyball, but also have an opportunity to learn the culture and language of another country. Five other Spanish students and I arrived and were picked up by our host families right away. After being homesick and extremely overwhelmed by a new language, we finally started to get accustomed to our class, the culture and getting around the city.
 
During our first weekend, we went to Monteverde, a city in the mountains. We also visited Arenal. In Monteverde, we did a night walk through the forest. We saw tarantulas, plenty of bugs and the second largest rat in Costa Rica…the size of my cat! The next morning we went on a Canopy Tour which is basically zip-lining through the mountains. It feels like you are flying and was definitely the most amazing thing I have ever experienced! 

In Arenal, we went to a hot springs spa for the night and went on a hike to see the Arenal volcano the next morning. Our tour guide was supposed to meet us at the other side, but instead he took a detour and hid in the forest. I was in the front of our group walking when he scared us. I had turned around to sprint out of there before I even realized it was him. On our way back, we stopped in two places: a hot and a cold river. The water from the hot river was directly from the volcano. There was a natural slide…where you fell off a small waterfall at the end. In the cold river, there was a huge rope swing…needless to say my arms were very sore the next day. 

During the weekdays, we went to class every day from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. I was in a class of only three people. The time went by really fast, but I learned the most Spanish with my “Mama-tica” or Costa Rican mother at home. On Thursday of our second week, our group was sitting in the school using the Internet when everything started shaking. We thought it was only a large truck going by at first, but then it got much stronger! There was an earthquake that registered 6.1 in San Jose (about 20 minutes away). We were all quite shaken up! Ironically, the epicenter was only 30 kilometers off the coast of Manuel Antonio beach, which was where we were going the following day. 

Our second weekend, we went to Manuel Antonio for two days. The beaches here are most definitely the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Needless to say, the ocean was extremely dangerous when we were there! The waves and current were really strong and there were quite a few rocks on the bottom. After being thrown around and banged up once, we decided not to swim anymore. 

During the last weekend, we visited Montezuma Beach and Tortuga Island, two very touristy beaches. Despite the commercialism, the beaches were very beautiful! We hiked to a waterfall where we got to climb behind and jump through it. The three weeks flew by; it is very nice to be back in the states! I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to improve my Spanish, study in a foreign country and explore a different part of the world. This study abroad experience was truly one of the best experiences of my life! 

WINGATE UNIVERSITY’S COSTA RICA SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM

Each May, selected Wingate University students have an opportunity to participate in the Costa Rica Summer Immersion Program at the Intercultura Language School in Heredia (a small town outside the capital city of San Jose.) Students are grouped by speaking ability in Spanish. The classes are small and personalized, meeting four hours a day.

Many adventures await the Wingate travelers. Students have a chance to explore Costa Rica, a country full of natural treasures, including lush rain forests, unique volcanoes, hundreds of species of tropical birds, delicious fruits of all kinds and luxurious hot springs.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 34 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 36 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 45 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.