The Moody Global Fellows program funded 20 Rice University students and student leaders for a two-week study abroad program in San Jose, Costa Rica, in partnership with the University of Costa Rica and the Latin American University of Science and Technology. The trip was coordinated by Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership (CCL).
“The purpose of this program is to introduce Rice students to international travel and provide access to meaningful interactions within a global context,” said Kelsey Ullom, associate director of the CCL. “The goal is that students meet faculty, peers and alumni who are part of the Rice global network and be inspired to pursue future opportunities with a global mindset.”
The program is designed for students who have not otherwise had many opportunities to travel, such as first-generation and limited-income students and STEM students. “We hope this program creates a pipeline for underrepresented students to pursue international education opportunities at Rice as well as postgraduate fellowships like Fulbright,” Ullom said.
In preparation for the travels, students met monthly in the spring to discuss topics like planning a budget, setting an itinerary and reflecting on their interests and goals before departing for Costa Rica.
Once in San Jose, they spent the first week in a structured program involving the partner universities. They met with faculty and local students to discuss local issues in San Jose, to contemplate the similarities and differences between Costa Rica and Houston as well as to understand their role in ecotourism in Costa Rica. Each night included discussions about what the travelers learned from each day’s activities.
“Those kinds of conversations build bridges, and it’s also helping students see that the Rice network goes far beyond Houston,” Ullom said.
The second week was left for the students to plan on their own. Some of the adventures the students took involved zip-lining, hiking, wildlife watching, salsa dancing, touring a coffee and chocolate farm and visiting a volcano — all while learning about the customs of the area.
The experience built the students’ confidence to embrace new experiences, especially being in a place where they have never traveled.
“Students were able to learn how to be comfortable with the intricacies that come with foreign travel,” said Michi Heckler, assistant director of the CCL. “They had to adjust to an environment with a different language, practice patience and allow space for the locals to be patient with them.”
Michael Tsao, a junior in Duncan College, traveled as a global fellow last year, and he returned as a student leader for this year’s excursion. He shared his recollections from both experiences.
“I think the biggest thing I gained was knowing that there’s connections at Rice, not just domestically but also abroad,” Tsao said. “Wherever my career might take me in the future, the Rice community extends beyond the hedges of campus, beyond the boundaries of Texas and beyond the boundaries of the United States. There really is a community out there.”
Tsao said the Moody Global Fellows program offers participants a unique way to enhance their education.
“Rice really values unconventional wisdom, and I got the chance to hear perspectives from individuals who live outside the United States, to experience a different culture and to learn a lot about myself as well,” he said. “It got me to learn about the kind of areas that I’m interested in and how traveling can fulfill that niche. Going abroad expanded my mind.”
Heckler reported that the program is already showing dividends.
“A lot of the students have mentioned that they could see themselves researching or studying at the universities they toured,” she said. “They were embracing being in a different country and embracing the idea of furthering education or research in a global capacity.”
To learn more about the Moody Global Fellows program, eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit ccl.rice.edu/moody-global-fellows.
