Costa Rica Connections: USC Study Abroad International Perspectives on Higher Education

The University of South Carolina has a robust study abroad program, but it is not just for students. Faculty and staff, many of whom have never studied abroad before, are invited to participate in the International Perspectives on Higher Education (IPHE) professional development program. Participants gain exposure to the student study abroad experience, learn how faculty-led programs operate, and make a comparative study between higher education in the United States and in the host country. Travel takes place during spring break each year. Costa Rica Connections was created based on experiences had by faculty and staff from different academic departments, who participated in the USC Study Abroad’s IPHE trip to San Jose, Costa Rica in 2016. Through visits to Costa Rican universities, museums, monuments, parks, and hospitals, we made connections through the exchange of ideas, learning from one another, and teaching each other about our respective areas of expertise. This exhibition gives an overview of the places visited, pointing out some of the similarities and differences between life in Latin American and South Carolina.