Public Health in Costa Rica

This program gives students a chance to study and learn from the Costa Rica public health system, specifically examining the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone. Students will be immersed in the local culture as they engage with residents and observe how public health programs, policies, systems, local culture and the environment contribute to the overall health of populations. Students will experience the impact of social factors and built environments on healthy behaviors in urban and rural areas and learn to identify how American values related to health differ from those in Costa Rica. They will study innovative approaches to tackling public health challenges and explore the important relationship between the natural environment and human health. Students will participate in active learning experiences and have many opportunities to be physically active. This study abroad will be most appealing to students that are passionate about health, enjoy leading an active lifestyle (or want to begin doing so), and desire to experience diverse cultures and their impact on health. A key element of this study abroad will invite students to explore the role of faith in healthy lifestyle choices and ways to build healthy communities (AKA “Blue Zones”).

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