Costa Rica: Study Abroad 2021

While Costa Rica may not seem that far away from the United States, the food can be radically different here. Costa Rica has the most biodiversity in the entire world, which makes for some incredible new foods! For example, the fruit here in Costa Rica are often unrecognizable to tourists because they are so unique. Below are 12 colorful, Costa Rican fruits that we bought from a local farmer's market in Santa Ana. 1. Caimito : Also known as "the Star Apple," this purple fruit resembles a plum or fig. However, it tastes quite dry and sour. It has large, black seeds in the center that should not be consumed. Some varieties come in a shade of green and white and often taste slightly more sweet.  2. Carambola : This fruit is also known as Starfruit, due to its star-like shape when sliced. It is also one of the most colorful fruits due to its bright orange hue. Carambolas become more yellow and sweet as they ripen, making them perfect for a fresco, salad, or jam.  3. Tomate de...

The History of Monteverde  A three and a half hour drive from the capital of San José, Monteverde rises above the horizon, a surprizing change in elevation compared to its surrounding beaches. At 4,600 ft in height, it is one of the shortest, yet most popular, mountains in Costa Rica. A direct translation of "Monteverde" is "green mountain," which perfectly describes the lush rain forests there.  Monteverde is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country, largely due to its history. In the late 1940's, an American Quaker group called the Meeting of Friends in Fairhope refused to enlist in the draft for World War Two. After serving four months in prison for their refusal, the eleven families decided to leave the United States in favor of a place that did not participate in the war. In 1949, they moved to San José because it had good farming land and, most importantly, Costa Rica had just abolished its army.  Eventually, the Quakers bought 3,500 a...

So you're planning on studying abroad through NAU? Congrats! There's obviously some things you'll need to do before you arrive. Below is a detailed list of the steps I took before traveling to Costa Rica. Keep in mind that this list might need to be adapted to meet your unique needs.  Before Traveling, ... 1. Apply for Study Abroad through  Education Abroad Programs | Education Abroad (nau.edu) .* You will be notified via email when your application has been approved/denied. This review process could take between one day and three months depending on the program. For me, I was approved about five days later.  *Note: You will need you passport number to apply, so be sure to renew or apply for a passport first if you do not already have one. For more information about passports, visit  Passport office | Center for International Education (nau.edu) .  2. Apply for scholarships through  Scholarships | Education Abroad (nau.edu)  and/or other scholarship ...