By Ava Steffens
Ema Dutcher, a junior studying biomedical sciences at SIU, recently returned from an unforgettable 11-day study abroad trip to Costa Rica. Supported by a scholarship from the SIU Foundation, she described the journey as one she will always remember.
“Learning about the culture was such a wonderful gift, and I feel like I’m a better, more well-rounded person after the trip,” Dutcher said. “Just being at SIU is awesome, but getting to travel and experience new cultures makes it even better.”
The trip was offered as a three-credit option through the World Crop Production course through SIU’s horticulture program. During spring break, students and faculty explored San José, visited farms, and toured nature preserves, all while immersing themselves in a new culture.
“I have always wanted to study abroad, and I love traveling with my family,” Dutcher said. “After learning more about it, I applied and decided to go. It was a little last minute, but it ended up working out in the end.”
Dutcher said she valued the educational aspect of the trip. In addition to cultural immersion, she and her classmates studied the harvesting of native tropical crops such as pineapple, heart of palm, and dragon fruit. She also stayed with a local family during part of her trip.
“My host family was excited to have us live with them,” she said. “Despite the language gap, we really bonded, and I was sad when it was time to leave. Everyone we met seemed happy that we were visiting and were very accommodating.”
One unexpected highlight was meeting a fellow Saluki abroad. A former SIU student recognized Dutcher’s SIU shirt, sparking a conversation about the group’s study abroad experience.
“I’m surprised when I meet Salukis in different states, but meeting somebody who went to SIU in a different country was even more special,” she said.
Dutcher received a scholarship that helped cover the trip’s cost, allowing her to focus on exploration, learning, and earning class credit. She was ecstatic when she learned about the scholarship.
“The study abroad program is an excellent program to invest in,” she said. “That money helped me partially cover the cost of the trip, which was not a small one. Helping other students have the same experience is worth the price.”
The program is ideal for Salukis eager to explore new cultures, gain valuable experiences, and earn class credit while traveling globally. Financial aid is available through need-based and academic-based scholarships.
“It’s not an experience that everyone gets to have, and I feel so fortunate that I got to,” Dutcher added.
Visit siuf.org/give and search “Study Abroad” in the designations field to support scholarships.