Three University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ undergraduate nursing students gained hands-on healthcare experience in Costa Rica this summer. Second-year students James Rodden, Noelle Boutain and Kyla Espineda of the joined other volunteers for the May 30–June 10 trip, organized by UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s (VIDA) chapter.
The organization offers pre-health students programs that combine hands-on service with cultural immersion alongside professionals in Central America. In Guanacaste communities such as Las Vueltas and Santa Rita, student volunteers assisted the local medical team with intake, taking vitals and patient education.
Providing care across cultures
Rodden, the chapter ambassador, noted that nursing is universal and emphasized the importance of advocacy for vulnerable populations. “Going to a new country with a different lifestyle, language, culture and perception of medicine taught me to approach each patient with an open mind,” Rodden said.
Boutain shared the experience reinforced her passion for patient-centered care and built clinical confidence. “I realized that wellness is not only about medicine, but also about community, movement, music, spending time with family and slowing down to enjoy life.”
Espineda highlighted how the trip improved her communication and cultural humility, noting the power of non-verbal connection during a stay with a local host family where she communicated through smiles and gestures. “Everywhere we went, people welcomed us with kindness and expressed genuine gratitude for our presence,” she said. “This experience emphasized that compassion, respect and empathy transcend language and cultural differences.”
Learning beyond the clinic
The mission involved 34 volunteers, including 27 from throughout the UH system. Beyond clinical practice, students immersed themselves in local life. Learning about the Nicoya Peninsula—a recognized “Blue Zone” known for longevity—offered a unique perspective on holistic health. Embracing the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, students discovered that wellness extends beyond medicine, finding that compassion, deep connections with host families, and slowing down are just as vital to patient care.
