This summer, a group of faculty members from across Missouri State University traveled to Costa Rica as part of the inaugural Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program.
Among them were Stephanie Mitchell Urich, clinical instructor in the School of Health Sciences, and Kelly Dudley, clinical assistant professor in the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences.
For both, the trip was a chance to learn and connect. They saw how culture, food and sustainability work together and how small actions can make a big difference.
The program helps faculty in creating and leading education abroad opportunities for students.
Learning by experience
Faculty engaged in learning activities throughout the trip from May 19-23. They took part in market visits, rainforest hikes, a cooking class and a coffee roaster tour, as well as spent time with Indigenous leaders.
Even with a busy schedule, each faculty member found personal meaning. For Dudley, the experience added a fresh perspective on Costa Rica, where she had lived as a child and visited many times since.
“Being able to go as a ‘student’ allowed me the space to learn things I never knew about a place I already loved,” she said.
Shared experiences also deepened the duo’s understanding of culture and community. For both faculty, one of the most memorable moments was spending time with the Boruca tribe, learning their mask painting and farming traditions.
“Sustainability is about thoughtfulness and making choices that benefit others,” said Urich. “Costa Rica showed me that even small habits, like avoiding disposables or supporting mindful vendors, can have lasting impact.”
Bringing global lessons back home
Urich notes the connection between global challenges and local action has become more personal thanks to this experience.
“We often use the phrase ‘think global, act local’ and that feels truer to me now,” she said. “Hunger is an overwhelming issue, but collective efforts matter. Acting locally for the greater good always counts.”
While Urich brought the lessons into her classroom, Dudley reflected on Costa Rica’s cultural values. She emphasized the country’s “pura vida” culture, meaning “the good life.”
She described it as a powerful reminder of well-being rooted in community. With universal health care, sustainable energy and strong social values, Costa Rica fosters resilience and lowers stress.
“There’s so much we can learn from the way they build relationships and care for one another,” Dudley said. “Those lessons aren’t staying in Costa Rica. They’re shaping what comes next, starting with a new program.”
Looking ahead
Together, Urich and Dudley are planning a joint Education Abroad program to Alaska in May 2026, partnering nutrition and dietetics with social work.
“This trip will immerse students in Indigenous culture, provide learning opportunities around nature therapy, social justice and food insecurity, as well as some adventures in the final frontier,” Dudley said.
“In Alaska, students will explore how food systems impact health across the globe and step forward as health care professionals ready to lead stronger communities,” Urich added.
