We are a program organized through UC International that focuses on providing an immersive, hands-on learning experience in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica for UC students pursuing nursing, pre-allied health, and social work careers. We will be given the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves within Nicaraguan asylum-seeking and refugee populations as well as Costa Rican and transnational migrant populations. Due to the sociopolitical and economic crisis in Nicaragua, over 200,000 Nicaraguans were exiled from their country, forcing families to settle in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica with little to no personal belongings or documents.

All donations to our GoFundMe would directly provide these communities with supplies of which they are in desperate need. Some of these much-needed products include hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, wipes, toiletries, ect.), eyeglasses, shoes, and clothes. In addition to these products, donations will also go towards school and art supplies, construction materials, and other necessities to support the community. One of the most pressing projects is making repairs to improve safe shelters that are accesible for vulnerable immigrant families.

A large focus of our program is facilitating health workshops and activities in these immigrant and refugee communities to educate important health topics such as sex education, protection of mental health, and hygiene principles in a fun, interactive way. Your donations will directly provide the communities with not only the necessary health supplies to be used for educational purposes in our workshops, but for practical and necessary uses beyond. For example, on our 2023 service trip, we taught the women in these communities how to practice healthy self-care techniques using donated beauty products. With the donations from our supporters, we were able to teach long-lasting mental health practices in this community as well as build relationships.

While working alongside these populations and listening to their testimonies, we are not only able to support the health and well-being of these vulnerable communities but can build cultural competence, increase awareness of the diversity of these populations, appreciate cultural differences, and learn memorable life lessons.

Student Testimonials:

A student who attended the program last year shared, “I recently had the most amazing opportunity getting to spend ten days in different communities of Costa Rica serving and working with displaced refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. This program was easily one of the most impactful and eye-opening experiences of my life. From working in communities with no running water, food, or AC in 100-degree weather to getting to visit local schools and learn from the children, it is clear the differences in how in which we get to live our lives. The hope and dedication of these individuals are enough to inspire one for a lifetime and I am so grateful I got to be a part of building a new community. I am forever grateful for UC, my professors, and the 17 students I got to travel with and become friends with over the last ten days.” A. Homan

Another student shared: “As someone who has traveled out of the Country before on mission trips and have served a variety of communities, I am shocked by how much I continue to learn from communities other than my own. In 2023 I had the privilege of traveling as a student with UC but also as a volunteer to VNAbroad. Throughout the trip, I not only grew as an individual, but also grew in my understanding of what Costa Rica is all about. Through home visits, teaching mothers about infant safety, working in small groups with specific age populations, traveling with fellow students, and being immersed in many different communities.... I learned to not take things for granted, the importance of inter-professional collaboration, and to remember to never “judge a book by its cover”. A common theme throughout the trip was the amount of hope everyone had, no matter what they have gone through. Strength, hope, and authenticity describes the Costa Rican community in my opinion. This trip was life changing for me. The lessons I have learned, stories shared, people I have met, and moments I experienced will carry with me through my future career, and as a young adult. I am honored to be going back and serving a community I have deeply grown to love.” G. Wadley

And lastly, a group of students from last year’s program made a video from their experience which we encourage you to watch: https://youtu.be/QF26hiDvqhw?si=QQ0-9gXVu0nUt5wB. With your donation, we will support children, women, seniors, and the health and well-being of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan families. We thank you for taking the time to read and learn about our program and thank you for any contributions we receive!