Costa Rica: Abigail Mcgraw
Program: UW Tropical Horticulture in Costa Rica, Winter Intersession
Abigail’s Major: Horticulture
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
I think that the experience was a lot different from taking classes at UW. This is because the trip was essentially a field study, so instead of learning in a classroom, we were touring different fields and learning from the workers their about how things worked. So overall, it was a much more hands on approach, which definitely helped me learn a lot.
My most memorable experience from my program was from a group activity we did. One night, there was a group of us who were interested in learning to dance and our TA for the trip taught us some different types of dancing that those in Costa Rica do on a night out. That experience was really special for me, and it was a great bonding moment toward the end of the trip.
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
I had gotten some sort of food sickness or illness while on the trip abroad. I worked through the issue by not going out with the rest of the group and really taking time to see what my body needed. That really helped to reset me, and once I was feeling better I was able to go back to enjoying my time there.
What is the moment you are most proud of?
I am most proud of myself for going on a very high viewing deck while at a national park. It was very high and not the most stable contraption, and when I was up there it was very scary, but getting to see the park from that view was incredible and I was proud of myself for getting the courage to do so.