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Two students from very different disciplines had summers that did just that. Taylor Glover 鈥�26, a biology major with dreams of entering the medical field, found herself deep in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Laney Castillo 鈥�28, a business administration student, dove into the fast-paced entrepreneurial world of Portugal. Though their destinations and goals were different, both students returned with a transformed outlook on their studies, their careers and their place in the world.

For Glover, the choice to spend her summer in Costa Rica wasn鈥檛 just about fulfilling a course requirement; it also allowed her to bring her education to life. She was enrolled in two courses that aligned closely with her academic and career interests: Tropical Marine Ecology and Basic Spanish for Health Professionals. From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the beauty of Nauyaca Waterfall, Glover studied some of Costa Rica鈥檚 most breathtaking environments.

鈥淭hroughout my trip, I had the opportunity to explore Costa Rica鈥檚 rich and vast biodiversity,鈥� says Glover. 鈥淚 went to several spectacular tourist attractions outside of the capital, such as Monteverde Cloud Rainforest, La Fortuna, and my absolute favorite, Nauyaca Waterfall. I do not think I could ever do the great beauty of this waterfall any justice; it truly is a sight I hope everyone can have the privilege to experience firsthand.鈥�

Beyond the ecology, Glover also deepened her understanding of language and culture. Though she was enrolled in a Spanish course tailored for future healthcare professionals, she still encountered communication challenges. But for her, those struggles became lessons in empathy.

鈥淭hese experiences helped me to gain a deeper empathy for the difficulties many people in the U.S. may face if English is not their first language,鈥� said Glover. 鈥淎s an aspiring doctor, I trust this experience will help me to better connect with patients whose voices may go unheard otherwise.鈥�

Glover鈥檚 summer in Costa Rica was also a personal milestone. It was her first time traveling abroad alone, and she arrived not knowing a single person in the program.

鈥淥verall, my time in Costa Rica helped me to take a big step into the unknown because I had never travelled abroad by myself and knew no one there. Looking back, as I left Costa Rica, I was able to make amazing friendships with individuals of differing backgrounds and learn so much about this wonderful country. I look forward to visiting again.鈥�

While Glover explored the Costa Rican ecosystem, Laney Castillo participated in a four-week summer program based in Lisbon, Portugal. Led by 黑料吃瓜网 Assistant Professor of Management Dr. Jeremy Bennett, Castillo joined students from around the world in the two courses Entrepreneurship and Power and International Business. The program included engaging coursework, like visiting local restaurants and immersing themselves in the business industry of the city.

鈥淏oth courses allowed me to deepen my understanding of global business practices while experiencing them in a completely new cultural setting,鈥� said the business administration major.

Outside of the classroom, Castillo also found inspiration in the city itself. Lisbon鈥檚 beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and robust shopping were a one-of-a-kind background to her academics.

鈥淲hat I enjoyed most about my study abroad experience was the opportunity to explore Lisbon at my own pace and to be a student of Professor Bennett again, but in such a different environment,鈥� said Castillo. 鈥淢y time in Portugal helped me see the world differently. Life there moves at a slower pace, and that gave me a new perspective on balancing productivity with appreciating the present moment.鈥�

Though Glover and Castillo had vastly different summers, they echo the same sentiment: their study abroad programs reshaped how they view their futures and themselves.

鈥淎s an introvert, this experience helped equip me with the boldness and drive to explore more of this world even if that is through a solo trip,鈥� says Glover.

鈥淥verall, studying abroad in Lisbon was one of the most meaningful experiences I鈥檝e had, both personally and academically,鈥� shared Castillo. 鈥淚 feel grateful to 黑料吃瓜网 for giving me the opportunity and support to take part in it.鈥�