Fourteen students from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) traveled to Costa Rica for an immersive study abroad experience.
After a week of study and preparation, undergraduate and graduate students from the NCCU criminal justice program explored the Central American nation from May 9 – 16.
The program focused on comparing the U.S. and Costa Rican criminal justice systems.
“For ages 12 – 17, the focus (in Costa Rica) is more on rehabilitation and integration back to society,” said Stone James, a junior. “In the United States, it’s more about deterrents.”
“It’s important for students to get a look at a different system,” said Pia Anderson Duncan, Ed.D., a clinical assistant professor who organized the inaugural three-credit program.
They stayed in Samara, a town of about 3,500 people located on the Pacific coast. While there, students met with Costa Rican police, visited a jail and heard from a lawyer who practices immigration and civil law. They also spent four hours a day in a Spanish language school.
They were hosted by local families who only spoke Spanish. The cuisine was heavy on rice, beans and eggs as well as fresh fruits.
“The food was very good,” said Antonio Castel, a sophomore. “It was way more fresh.”
Air conditioning, however, was scarce.
“I would pour water on myself in the middle of the night,” said Aziah Morales, a graduate student. “It would help me cool down.”
Participants also had an opportunity to go surfing, horseback riding, kayaking and talk to both locals and visitors from other countries. They volunteered at a boys and girls club but could also watch monkeys in the trees or residents raise chickens.
There were unexpected moments. At the Spanish language school, graduate student Tihzha Davis recognized an actor from the TV show Grey’s Anatomy.
“He and his wife were on vacation,” said Davis. “He signed everyone’s autographs. He was very down to earth.”