A Costa Rican Adventure
Costa Rica photos via Kristi Murphey.
Costa Rica, known for its lush rainforests, vibrant culture, and commitment to environmental preservation, provided LBCC students with an unforgettable study abroad experience this past summer.
The program, focused on public health and cultural immersion, offered a unique opportunity to explore the country’s diverse ecosystems and gain valuable insights into its healthcare system.
The program also provided opportunities to explore traditional and alternative healthcare practices and better understand public health issues in Costa Rica.
Students and Linn-Benton instructors were captivated by Costa Rica’s natural beauty, which reminded them of Oregon’s forests with a tropical twist. The country’s commitment to environmental conservation was evident throughout the trip, as evidenced by the emphasis on sustainable practices and preserving biodiversity.
The trip from June 21 to July 6 was filled with memorable experiences, such as hiking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, zip-lining through a forest canopy, and visiting a sloth sanctuary.
However, there were also challenges, including language barriers for those with limited Spanish proficiency and adjusting to the slower pace of life in Costa Rica.
To prepare for the trip, students engaged in language learning, cultural research, and meetings with faculty who had previously visited Costa Rica. These preparations helped students become more familiar with the country’s culture, history, and language, enriching their experience.
While in the country students were supported not only by LBCC faculty Kristi Murphey and Lisa Hoogesteger, who lead students to meet course requirements for LBCC credits, but also the Monteverde Institute, a non-profit dedicated to environmental conservation. Linn-Benton Community College also worked with the Institute for the 2023 Costa Rica study abroad trip. The Institute worked hand in hand with LBCC students, setting them up with housing, arranging travel, tours, and being fully available for anything they needed.
The program’s academic component focused on public health as well as cross-cultural health and wellness. Students had the opportunity to learn from experts and apply their knowledge through various experiences, including visiting hospitals, schools, and medical clinics.
“It was nearly 100% experiential learning, not something that happens often in the non-CTE programs,” said Murphey.
One of the most surprising things students said they learned about Costa Rican culture was the strong emphasis on family and community. Despite the country’s economic challenges, the locals were always willing to help one another, demonstrating an inspiring sense of solidarity.
Students and faculty have advice for those considering a study abroad trip. They emphasized the importance of being open-minded and willing to embrace new experiences. Participants also recommended learning some basic Spanish to facilitate communication with locals. Finally, they encouraged future students to take advantage of the opportunities to explore the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
LBCC Study Abroad programs to Costa Rica have provided students with a transformative experience that enriches their academic and personal lives.
“Traveling anywhere broadens our thinking and widens our view of other cultures, priorities, family structures, architecture, transportation, food, and sports,” said Hoogesteger.
By combining academic coursework for LBCC credit with cultural immersion and adventure, the program offers a unique opportunity to learn and grow as well as a new way to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
A Culinary Journey Through Prague
Czech photos via Sarah Rose Larson.
The Linn-Benton Community College study abroad program to Prague offered culinary arts students, other students, and even faculty an unforgettable opportunity to explore the Czech Republic’s rich culinary traditions and vibrant culture.
From sampling traditional dishes, attending cooking classes and learning about the historical significance of Czech cuisine, students gained an appreciation for the country’s gastronomic heritage. The program from July 8-19 gave students the opportunity to go on culinary excursions. Students participated in food tours, exploring various restaurants and markets to taste a diverse range of Czech dishes.
“For the rest of my life, duck and dumplings will always remind me of Prague,” said participant Jason Pfahler.
Students also learned about Vietnamese cuisine and culture. They learned how young Vietnamese people immigrating for work and study as part of an agreement made between Czechoslovakia and Vietnam during the communist era is a significant part of modern-day Czech. This included a food tour through the Vietnamese Sapa Market.
Students had the chance to attend a lecture with world-class chef Ladislav Florean, who is a private chef in Czech. He currently works for actors while they live in the country during filming and other famous people. Chef Florean has experience working in Michelin-star restaurants around Europe.
A highlight of students’ learning in Prague was attending a cooking class, where they learned to prepare authentic Czech cuisine from a team of chefs in a kitchen classroom. This was a great way to gain valuable culinary skills and learn how to make some of the dishes they had been learning about.
The program incorporated various cultural immersion activities, providing students with a deeper understanding of Czech cuisine’s historical and cultural context. By visiting historical sites and learning about the country’s past, students could connect the dots between the food they were experiencing and the people who created it.
Beyond the culinary experience, students toured historic cathedrals and castles and some attended a performance of the opera “Don Giovanni” at the National Theater, the same place where Mozart first performed it in 1787.
Linn-Benton faculty chefs Josh Green and Stacy Lebar led the trip, facilitating discussions, offering mentorship, and challenging students to think critically about what they were learning and helping them to meet learning objectives for LBCC credit.
Additional support and assistance was offered throughout their stay in Prague from CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). CIEE is a non-profit organization promoting international education. They organized tours with local experts, hosted classes at their center in Prague, and set students up in CIEE apartments within a beautiful Prague neighborhood.
Participating in this study abroad program offered students many benefits, including a deeper understanding of Czech culture, history, and cuisine; practical culinary skills, enhanced professional development, and personal growth.
Advice students had for those considering a study abroad trip included being open-minded to the differences in culture, bringing some good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets, and being prepared to pay for water in the restaurants. Some students found that a glass of water is sometimes more expensive than beer in Czech.
Chef Green organized several fundraisers before the trip. The funds raised through these efforts were directly allocated to student costs, significantly reducing the trip’s price.
The success of this study abroad program has inspired plans for future culinary trips to Prague and other destinations. Green aims to allow more students to explore different cultures and expand their culinary horizons.
Summer 2025: The Opportunity to Experience Study Abroad for Yourself
This year’s Summer 2025 trips will give the opportunity for students to study in London, Korea, or once again Costa Rica.
Study abroad to London will be led by LBCC faculty Laura Jones and Scott McAleer. Students can choose between psychology or history courses for LBCC credit while exploring the city’s rich history and culture.
Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Choral Studies Raymund Ocampo will lead students to South Korea
This year’s trip to Costa Rica will focus on science, led by LBCC faculty Jeremy Randolph-Flagg and Diana Wheat. The program includes exploring the lush rainforest, participating in cultural activities, and gaining experience in scientific research. Led by experienced faculty and once more the Monteverde Institute, this trip will offer the opportunity to gain college credit while learning about Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems.
Visit the Study Abroad section of the LBCC website, or email studyabroad@linnbenton.edu for questions and to be added to the email list.
