Studying abroad ranks high on Emma Annett’s college bucket list. The passionate traveler and freshman at Ohio Northern University didn’t wait to embark on her first adventure.
“Just getting into college life, I knew it may be difficult to do an entire semester abroad,” she said. “But when I saw opportunities for shorter abroad experiences in J-term, I knew I had to do it.”
An exercise physiology major, Emma spent January 7-20, 2024, in Costa Rica studying “Costa Rican Healthcare Systems and Tropical Medicine” at Veritas University. She stayed with a Spanish-speaking host family and enjoyed views of volcanoes and native flora and fauna as she walked to class.
On weekends, she and her classmates explored the countryside, including a trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, often described as a tropical paradise.
“It was absolutely breathtaking,” said Emma. “We enjoyed the beach, parasailing, hiking, and viewing wildlife. We visited the reservations of Indigenous people and learned about their culture.”
Her J-term experience forced her to be outgoing and taught her how to communicate with people from different backgrounds. These skills, she explained, will help her as a future occupational therapist.
“I learned that going out of your comfort zone so you can fully experience a new culture is one of the best ways you can improve yourself.”
