Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2022 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, across the country and even around the world.

From Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Costa Rica, junior field hockey player Nicole Randazza wrote about her study abroad experience through the Muhlenberg Integrated Learning Abroad course.

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica through the Muhlenberg MILA program. The course was centered around sustainability in Las Juntas, a small town in Costa Rica. My group specifically focused on public health in Las Juntas, with my research centered on mental health while my group members focused on physical health, women's health and nutrition.

While in Costa Rica, I interviewed various health professionals around town about each of the four aspects of public health we were researching. We identified assets within and surrounding the Las Juntas area to analyze the accessibility to healthcare.

Alongside research project work, I indulged in the local community and the beauty of Costa Rica.I participated in community service work by aiding a local painter in refurbishing a town mural and planting trees at a local farm

Our class also went on numerous hikes, explored the gold mines, saw a volcanic site, ate dinner with host families, went horseback riding, visited the hot springs and a cloud forest, and so many more unimaginable experiences that truly highlighted the beauty of Costa Rica's environment. It stressed the importance of sustainability to maintain the unique aspects of this country's environment that are imperative to the crops, animals and people living there.

Having been exposed to a completely different way of life, my study abroad trip to Costa Rica was a truly eye-opening experience. My biggest takeaway from this experience is that I have a lot to learn from the Costa Rican lifestyle, from their highly sustainable practices that serve to maintain their beautiful environment to their pura vida lifestyle that stresses optimism and happiness.

This experience also contributed to my career path, as I am currently on the pre-dental track. After becoming a licensed dentist, I wish to travel to places that lack access to proper oral healthcare and volunteer to provide such resources.

While in Costa Rica, I was exposed to a healthcare system outside of the United States and was able to see the differences and similarities in how other countries manage healthcare.

I also interviewed a local dentist in Costa Rica who explained the education required to become a dentist in Costa Rica as well as the responsibilities of dental professionals and specialists. I am so grateful to have learned all of the aspects of the dental profession in Costa Rica, as they vary slightly from the U.S. and will benefit me in my envisioned travels after my dental education.

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