{"id":108182,"date":"2026-03-30T15:09:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/?p=108182"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:09:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:09:08","slug":"delta-state-students-combine-service-and-cultural-immersion-during-spring-break-study-abroad-in-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/2026\/03\/delta-state-students-combine-service-and-cultural-immersion-during-spring-break-study-abroad-in-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta State students combine service and cultural immersion during spring break study abroad in Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

CLEVELAND, Miss. \u2014 <\/strong>Delta State University students spent their 2026 spring break serving others, experiencing Costa Rican culture and broadening their global perspective through a service-learning study abroad trip to Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

The program, offered through HON 102 and HON 492, combined community service, cultural immersion and educational travel. Throughout the trip, students lived with Costa Rican host families, volunteered with local nonprofit organizations and explored some of the country\u2019s most significant cultural, historical and natural landmarks.<\/p>\n

Michelle Johansen, Assistant Coordinator of International Student Services said, \u201cLiving with a local host family and working with community non-profits in Costa Rica was about so much more than having a place to stay and serving. It can be the doorway to understanding the true heart of the country. By sharing meals, stories, and daily life with local Costa Ricans, our students aren’t just visiting a destination. They built genuine, lifelong connections that bridge cultures and create a lasting global community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group departed Memphis International Airport on Friday, March 6, and arrived that evening in San Jos\u00e9, where students met thier host families. The following day included breakfast with host families and a guided bus tour of San Jos\u00e9, with visits to the National Theater, Central Market, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Democracy Plaza, the Costa Rican Museum of Art and the National Monument of Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, March 8, students traveled to Sarapiqu\u00ed for an all-day adventure experience at Hacienda Pozo Azul, where they took part in canopy ziplining, whitewater rafting and horseback riding before returning to their host families that evening.<\/p>\n

Service-learning work began Monday, March 9, and continued through Friday morning. Students served in a range of community settings across San Jos\u00e9. Selina Clay of Beulah and Mary Agnes Forrester of Somerville, Tennessee worked with children at Proyecto Abraham, a daycare center that provides a safe and supportive environment for children while their parents are at work. Through games, activities and crafts, the center offers structured lessons and meals for the children in its care.<\/p>\n

Sara Davis of Smithville and Simon Pereira of Sabaneta, Colombia also served with Proyecto Abraham, helping with construction work on a chapel intended to benefit single mothers and families connected to the organization. Aidan Hayes of Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago taught English to elementary and middle school students. Chassity Dotson of Clarksdale volunteered at a nursing home, spending time with residents and assisting with daily activities.<\/p>\n

Hayden Jones of Flora, Melissa Ramirez of Smithville, Kelsey Fussell of Hernando, Ella Rivers Kennedy of Cherry Valley, Arkansas and Isabella Durham of Winona worked at an animal shelter caring for stray dogs. Ramirez said, \u201cI bonded quickly with the animal shelter staff as we talked about our love for animals and travel. Those conversations made me realize no matter where who or where we are, community can be created.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside their morning service shifts, students continued to engage with Costa Rica\u2019s history, culture and traditions. On Monday afternoon, the group visited Irazu Volcano National Park, toured the city of Cartago and stopped at the Bas\u00edlica de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los \u00c1ngeles before ending the day with a salsa dance class at Maximo Nivel.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, students followed their service work with a tour of Caf\u00e9 Britt in Heredia, where they learned more about Costa Rica\u2019s coffee industry. Wednesday afternoon gave students time to explore San Jos\u00e9 more independently, with some visiting the National Museum of Costa Rica, Chinatown and the Central Market before participating in a cooking class at Maximo Nivel that evening.<\/p>\n

Thursday included another service-learning shift and additional free time in San Jos\u00e9, with some students making an independent visit to Toucan Rescue Ranch. That evening, the group gathered for a farewell dinner at Mirador Tiquicia, where they enjoyed traditional Costa Rican food and a folk dancing performance. Some students later took part in optional salsa dancing at Amon Solar.<\/p>\n

On Friday, March 13, students completed their final service-learning assignments and took part in a wrap-up session with Maximo Nivel. Some also joined an optional football match with local residents and other Maximo Nivel students and staff before sharing one final evening with their host families. The group departed San Jos\u00e9 on Saturday, March 14, and returned to Memphis that night.<\/p>\n

Don Allan Mitchell, Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program said, “We are grateful to Michelle Johansen, whose leadership in the International Services office and on this trip continues to create meaningful study abroad opportunities for our students. We also deeply appreciate the university and the generous donors of the Delta State Alumni Foundation for making these experiences possible. We thank Dr. Leslie Griffin and Dr. Suzette Matthews for their leadership, along with donors such as Dr. Bill LaForge. As many Delta State students face financial barriers to travel, we look forward to expanding subsidized opportunities as we continue to strengthen it as a point of recruitment and retention, while encouraging our students to think boldly and serve with purpose.”<\/p>\n

By blending service, study and cultural immersion, the Costa Rica experience gave Delta State students a meaningful spring break centered on learning and engagement. Through their work with local organizations, their time with host families and their exploration of Costa Rican life, students returned with a deeper appreciation for service, cultural understanding and global citizenship.<\/p>\n

For more information about honors programs at Delta State University, visit deltastate.edu\/academics\/honors-program\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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