Important Dates
Tentative Travel Dates: May 25 – May 4, 2027
Interest Meetings: View on Office of Education Abroad event calendar here.
Scholarship Application Deadline: November 2, 2026
Application and Deposit Deadline: January 15, 2027
Program Description
This proposed study abroad program immerses Physical Therapy with the already established Occupational Therapy and Nursing students in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula—a global “Blue Zone” renowned for its residents’ extraordinary longevity. By exploring the “pura vida” lifestyle, students will uncover how daily occupations, social connections, diet, and nature intertwine to sustain lifelong health and well-being. Major highlights for this service learning trip include: interprofessional collaboration with partnering with other disciplines to conduct comprehensive, hands-on health assessments and holistic wellness interventions; cultural immersion with engaging directly with local residents, healthcare professionals, and cultural sites to understand multicultural healthcare delivery; and real-world application through extending classroom learning into diverse global contexts with faculty authentically modeling clinical practice to bridge theory with practice. A few learning objectives entail analyzing the lifestyle, environmental, and occupational factors that promote extreme longevity; apply didactic knowledge to strengthen clinical reasoning through hands-on service learning; develop cultural competence, adaptability, and leadership skills within a multicultural healthcare setting; and master interdisciplinary teamwork to address diverse healthcare needs, satisfying critical accreditation standards for fieldwork, clinical practice, and inter professionalism.
Faculty Leaders
With a heritage that spans continents and a passport that rarely stays in a drawer, my perspective on travel is rooted in both deep family ties and professional curiosity. As a half-Dutch traveler with a significant portion of my family still residing in the Netherlands, Europe isn’t just a destination for me—it’s a second home.
My travel style is eclectic, ranging from academic immersions to family milestones:
Europe: Beyond my frequent visits to see family in the Netherlands and Germany, I have navigated the rich history of Italy and Greece while chaperoning a middle school educational tour.
Asia: I’ve explored the cultural and professional landscape of China as part of a Physical Therapy school program, gaining a unique perspective on global health practices.
Leisure: When I’m not exploring historic cities or clinical settings, I’m usually heading to various tropical islands to enjoy the slower pace of coastal life.
While I wouldn’t claim total fluency, I am an enthusiastic conversationalist in Dutch and have a solid foundation of two years of German study. I believe that even a little bit of the local language goes a long way in building genuine connections.
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Courses offered by Dr. Corbitt:
- PTHY 5290 Topics in Physical Therapy: International Study Field Trip/Clinical Practicum
Dr. Ruth Ann Mathis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UCA. Dr. Mathis joined UCA in 2024 and prior to that, was an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Harding University where she served as the Director of Clinical Education. Dr. Mathis has 28 years of clinical experience and has previously served on faculty teams leading students on medical mission trips to Nicaragua and Zambia.
Courses offered by Dr. Mathis:
- NURS 3V13 Special Studies in Nursing
Health and Safety
Students registering for programs should carefully read through all health and safety information provided during the application process. In addition, students should honestly complete the ‘Health and Safety Form’ so that any health related concerns may be adequately accommodated on study abroad programs.
Participants will be enrolled in comprehensive international insurance for the duration of programming. It is the student’s responsibility to extend insurance cover if they stay abroad beyond UCA’s planned program dates. For information about international insurance coverage: https://uca.edu/globalstudy/health-and-safety/
Students must attend one health and safety meeting during the spring semester. Meeting dates will be announced after the application deadlines.