Costa Rica is known for its motto of “Pura Vida “or “the Pure Life.” Due to this focus on healthy living, Nicoya, Costa Rica, is one of the five Blue Zones in the world. The Blue Zones are home to some of the oldest living people in the world. During the prep course, students will study the lifestyle of Costa Rican citizens to discover how they are some of the happiest and healthiest people in the world. Students will engage in fieldtrips in the Charlotte area and then in Costa Rica surrounding healthy living practices such as eating fresh local foods, the culture of peace in an egalitarian society, and socialization in community involvement.

Students will begin in the capital of San Jose. A wide variety of activities are planned for students to explore what it is truly like to live as a Costa Rican citizen. Visits to a coffee farm to observe the coffee-making process from bean to cup as well as a special visit to the University for Peace. This university was commissioned by the United Nations to train future leaders to explore strategies that address global issues and problems. Students will also visit various health facilities to compare these to those available in Charlotte. Students will travel to the Nicoya Peninsula to meet and interview some of the oldest citizens in the world to learn about their diets, habits, stories, and traditions.

This course may be most appropriate for students interested in Healthy living, Nutrition, Public Health, and Costa Rica.

The academic courses associated with this program is NUR/HLT 398 and 399: Costa Rica: Lessons from the Happiest People: A Blue Zones Project for 4 total credits. Students will elect to receive NUR or HLT credit. This course can also fulfill the QHW requirement. It will be taught by Professors Toy Stone and Sheryl Cornelius.
This is an OPEN program.
*all itinerary items are tentative and subject to change*