Jayme Augusma

Jayme Augusma in Costa Rica
Major: 
Animal Ecology
Program: 
Semester at Veritas in San Juan, Costa Rica
Studying abroad helped me learn that there is so much out there and there is always something new you can learn, experience, and see. The world is a big place with a multitude of cultures, places, and people.
  • Why did you study abroad?
    • I chose to study abroad because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was young and had free time, plus, I was getting college credit to travel and experience the world. I gained international connections that have helped me with my future plans.
  • Have you traveled internationally previously?
    • Yes, growing up I would go back to my hometown in Haiti every couple of summers to visit family, and now I go on vacations more frequently.
  • Major difference between taking classes abroad versus at ISU?
    • The classes abroad for me were more hands-on learning with no exams. That, for me, was golden, and I would say I learned more in that semester than any other semester here at ISU.
  • What have you learned from completing a semester abroad?
    • I learned that there is so much out there and there is always something new you can learn, experience, and see. The world is a big place with a multitude of cultures, places, and people.
  • Do you think your experience will benefit you personally, professionally, or academically?
    • ​​​​​​​I think it definitely helped me with all three. That’s dependent on the experience, and mine was amazing.
  • Did you travel around Costa Rica?
    • Yes, we had excursions every weekend in the first month of the semester. We went to different volcanos and beaches, we went on tours, we went to hot springs, and so much more.
  • What type of wildlife did you see while in Costa Rica? 
    • I saw tons of lizards, frogs, snakes, and stray animals (friendly). We got to see macaws in the tropical rainforests. We were super close to them as well, which was exciting. It's definitely a unique experience when you don’t see them daily like the locals do. In addition, most of my classes were related to wildlife, so I got to see even more. We went on trips to identify different bird species and count the abundance which was fascinating. 
  • What advice would you give to students interested in studying abroad?
    • ​​​​​​​Step out of your comfort zone. I know you hear that a lot but it really does make a difference because it truly is an amazing experience but you just have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
  • How has the experience impacted your life?
    • ​​​​​​​It has fed my travel bug!