Growth through cultural immersion and service leads to personal transformation and purpose
by Emily Barker
June 10, 2026
For Ellie Hein, studying abroad was about far more than travel or academics. It became a transformative experience that challenged her to step outside familiar boundaries and, in doing so, discover newfound independence, confidence, and patience.
“The cultural insights I gained abroad taught me that people operate from different values and worldviews, and that understanding those differences is essential when working with diverse communities.” —Ellie Hein
Ellie was the only person from the College of Education’s Family and Human Services program to join the inaugural year of the Education and Psychology in Costa Rica study abroad program. While she was there, she completed an internship working with adults with varying disabilities in an entirely Spanish-speaking environment.
Ellie always knew she wanted to work with people, but she didn’t know in what capacity. This experience helped clarify her career goals of serving those with disabilities. Her Psychology in Education course motivated her desire to create inclusive spaces and advocate for stronger support for people with disabilities in the future.
Ellie learned just as much outside of the classroom as she did in. She chose a balance of exploring Costa Rica by diving into outdoor activities like hiking, as well as taking quiet moments to journal about her experiences.
She was especially fascinated with Tortuguero, located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, that is only available by boat or plane. Her and other students spent their time kayaking and hiking in Tortuguero National Park where they saw multiple types of monkeys, birds and lizards.
Although the sightseeing was incredible, her favorite part was visiting the village and seeing the culture, community, and people fully enjoying life in such a remote area. “The cultural insights I gained abroad taught me that people operate from different values and worldviews, and that understanding those differences is essential when working with diverse communities.”
She credits her Issues of Children and Families class for preparing her to examine her own cultural assumptions and think critically about how people from different backgrounds experience the word differently. “Recognizing those differences was only possible because my College of Education classes taught me how to observe and reflect on the world with an open-minded perspective.”
Reflecting on her experience, Ellie was inspired by the people she met and the places she saw. She encourages students who want to study abroad to just go for it and allow the experience to challenge them to learn and grow.
The Education and Psychology in Costa Rica program combines Spanish language learning, academic coursework, and an internship. Over the course of three modules (each three weeks long), you’ll build a strong cultural foundation and gain real-world experience in education or social services, all while living with a local host family.