Important Program Information聽
Academic Course Term: Summer 2027 Semester
Tentative Travel Dates:聽May 11 – May 21, 2027
Application Deadline:聽January 15, 2027
NOTE: Enrollment is limited to 20 participants.
Scholarship Application Deadline: November聽1, 2026
Interest Meetings: For more details, please contact the faculty leaders, as faculty approval is required to participate.
Program Description
Immerse yourself in the vibrant healthcare landscape of Costa Rica this May through the OT and Nursing Abroad: Keys to Well-Being faculty-led program. Designed specifically for 51青楼 Occupational Therapy and Nursing students, this transformative experience bridges classroom theory with hands-on global health practice.
By stepping outside traditional clinical settings, you will explore how culture, environment, and lifestyle directly shape community health and longevity. Working directly with Costa Rican healthcare professionals and local communities, you will deepen your clinical intuition, cultivate cultural humility, and broaden your understanding of holistic patient care.
Destination Highlights:
- The Blue Zone Lifestyle: Travel to Costa Rica鈥檚 famous Nicoya Peninsula鈥攐ne of the world鈥檚 few “Blue Zones”鈥攖o observe firsthand how lifestyle, daily occupations, and strong social connections foster exceptional longevity and vitality.
- The Heart of Pura Vida: Experience the warm, welcoming ethos of Costa Rica while exploring its rich natural environments and community-centered approach to living well.
- Multicultural Healthcare Systems: Gain rare entry into local health networks, observing how healthcare delivery functions in a system centered around community wellness and prevention.
Program Highlights & Activities:
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Partner alongside Costa Rican healthcare professionals and community members to evaluate, design, and deliver health promotion initiatives.
- Culturally Responsive Nursing & OT: Apply the nursing process and occupational framework to real-world, culturally relevant care scenarios, tailoring interventions to local needs.
- Comparative Healthcare Analysis: Observe and compare healthcare delivery mechanisms between Costa Rica and the United States to discover fresh, innovative perspectives on patient care.
- Ethics & Communication: Refine your professional communication skills and practice ethical decision-making in diverse, cross-cultural environments.
- Cultural Humility & Guided Reflection: Engage in structured self-reflection to unpack personal biases, sharpen self-awareness, and develop lasting cross-cultural competencies for your future healthcare career.
Program Cost & Scholarships
Program Costs
, for more information about the total cost to attend the program, including Student Program Fee and tuition, payment deadlines, and details regarding financial aid and scholarships.
Scholarships
Students attending this program may be eligible to apply for the following institutional study abroad scholarships:
- Office of Education Abroad Study Abroad Scholarship (All)
- EDGE Funding (Undergraduate only)
- Travel Abroad Grant (TAG/Undergraduate only)
Visit our聽Scholarships聽webpage for more information about these scholarship and the eligibility requirements to apply.
Course Offerings
- OTHY 6212 Level I Fieldwork: Analysis of Human Occupational Performance
- NURS 3V13聽– Special Studies in Nursing
Faculty Leaders
Dr. Brittany Saviers, ORT/L
Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Dr. Saviers is a leader in international occupational therapy fieldwork, having co-founded experiences in Costa Rica and Tanzania, including interprofessional collaborations with UCA Nursing. She has mentored students completing doctoral capstones abroad and researches global engagement, intercultural competencies, occupation and health, and education abroad. As a 2022 Global Faculty Fellow, she is passionate about creating transformative international experiences that prepare culturally responsive, globally engaged healthcare professionals.
Dr. Deborah Gangluff, ORT/L
Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Gangluff聽describes Costa Rica as a wonderful opportunity for students to experience healthcare, culture, and the country firsthand. Through visits to clinics and medical sites, interviews with centenarians, and cultural sightseeing, students gain valuable insight into Costa Rican health practices and communities. As a 51青楼 Occupational Therapy faculty member, Dr. Gangluff continues to develop her Spanish language skills and cultural humility while drawing on her professional and travel experience to help students navigate an engaging and flexible international experience.
Sarah Freeman, MSN, RN, CNE
Clinical Instructor I and Academic Success Coach
Mrs. Freeman combines her love of nursing and teaching with a passion for exploring the world. Through personal travel and five surgical mission trips to Belize, she has embraced new cultures and stepped outside her comfort zone. She is thrilled to explore Costa Rica with students and share an amazing, hands-on study abroad experience!