Daisy Vu is an extraordinary CU Boulder student!聽She is an IAFS Major, is minoring in Anthropology, History and Business, and is completing the Certificate in Peace, Conflict, and Security (PACS). She also has been awarded the Global Grants Scholarship twice for two summer study abroad experiences - first in Summer 2023 to Bordeaux, France聽and this past Summer 2024 to Costa Rica! Read about her time in Costa Rica below and enjoy the amazing photos she took!
Costa Rica鈥檚 charm and beauty has undoubtedly left an impression on myself, as a person, and my studies. It鈥檚 no secret that Costa Rica is home to 5% of the world鈥檚 biodiversity and contains many natural masterpieces, with its beaches, sloths, and monkeys, but something that is wildly underappreciated is the people, with Tico (Costa Rican) culture being overshadowed by the country鈥檚 ecological richness. As an anthropology course, we were encouraged interact with the people and critically think of tourism for all its merits and detriments to the community, seeing the human impact in addition to the ecological impact. In a way, the learning never stopped, and the classroom extended to the jungle and city streets, where every experience was an anthropological learning opportunity.
We exercised fieldwork activities that critically assessed the tourism industry. Despite not knowing Spanish, my openness to new experiences and interacting with others propelled my success in this program, having gained new cultural perspectives and insight into anthropological fieldwork. The program facilitated examining everything in a critical, academic lens, something beneficial in any situation, especially foreign. I learned all about Costa Rica鈥檚 place in international politics, containing expats of various origins, many tourists of different nationalities, and role in sustainable tourism with excursions into the national parks of Manuel Antonio and Cahuita. I also took part in a homestay program in a small town, concentrating on the belonging side, and learned of the community and Costa Rican culture, while giving back with a community project involving renovating an elementary school. All of our host families were so full of life and character, and I am super appreciative of my own host family for feeding me and welcoming me into their home, it was an amazing experience!
With the sun of the equator, and the warmth of the Costa Rican people, Costa Rica has left its mark on me and I am extremely grateful to have been able to embark on this adventure and build bonds with my fellow buffs and the Ticos along the way.
Many thanks to Daisy for sharing about her trips with us and we are excited to see what you accomplish!
