Sunsets, coasts, the charging and receding waves of a blue sea. A Costa Rican way of life; natural, intentional and beautiful. “Is my life real?” wonders University of Wisconsin-Superior social work student Riley Rourke as she finds herself surrounded by jungle as far as the eye can see.

UW-Superior’s social work study away program in Costa Rica revealed itself to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the group. Consisting of a mix of alumni, community members, students and Lynn Goerdt, Human Behavior, Justice & Diversity Department professor; the group traveled to Costa Rica to gain new perspectives on health and happiness. Both were abundant amidst the thriving community and its towering cocoa trees. The group sought to contribute to and learn from this community. Their experiences included planting new cocoa trees using agroforestry, partaking in beach-side pickups, learning roof thatching and being taught to cook native food.

A group favorite was their visit to Yorkin Indigenous Reserve where they rode in handmade canoes with small motors into the village.

“It was a very different lifestyle,” recalls UW-Superior social work major Bec Timmons.

What they learned from this lifestyle stuck, its authenticity resonating within the group. Patience was encouraged through agriculture, where it takes up to 18 months to grow a single bushel of bananas.

Attention to sensation was cultivated through the rich earthy smell of the jungle which also held the constant chattering of the howler monkeys. The students were continuously exposed to appreciation of the small details in life.

“It felt like there were small joys, or just joys in general, and things, like, to be happy about and look forward to in their community,” said Rourke.

The educational focus of the experience added a sense of fulfillment and confidence within the group. It was easy to take comfort in the fact that there was intent behind every activity, every view. As a result, study away nurtured connections within the cohort and with the surrounding community.

“We have this whole different relationship because we went on this adventure together, and we navigated hard things and we had to problem solve, it wasn’t all smooth. It’s awesome and it’s challenging,” said Goerdt.

The lessons on perspective and happiness from the trip have had long-lasting effects on the group.

From going on more walks to reading more, members of the group have reported the practice of intentional observation and a focus on being more present.

Following the success of the trip, the social work program wishes to provide a similar study-away opportunity in the future. Additionally, UWS’s study away program is constantly active. It offers opportunities to all students for short-term to full-semester trips that provide fulfilling and educational experiences.

“It was beautiful,” Goerdt said. “The connections between the folks, they were so kind. And the food was amazing. And it was just so meaningful to be there and so for a lot of us it was a life-changing experience because it was so special.”

By Olivia Fleming, English major and student writer for UWS.