Today we were lucky enough to be able to visit one of the largest universities in Costa Rica, Universidad Latina. We were given a tour of the university that is tiny in comparison to the size of Arizona State. It consisted of two relatively small buildings filled with classrooms. We then received a presentation from the director of the social science school at the university. We learned all about the strengths and weaknesses of the education system in Costa Rica. The literacy rate of Costa Rica is 95%-- one of the highest rates in the world, which is extremely impressive considering all of the countries surrounding Costa Rica have significantly lower literacy rates. The strength of the education system is credited to the fact that Costa Rica eliminated it's military and uses that funding towards the education system.
However, there are some weaknesses with the education system, Costa Rica has 59 universities crammed into the small country that is the size of West Virginia. This causes an dilemma because the mass quality of universities spreads out the talent of students and professors not allowing for a strong centralized education system. This opportunity was so amazing and so much fun to be able to compare this private Costa Rican university to the universities back home.
We spent the rest of the day getting some last minute activities done in Costa Rica before we went home. Some of the girls went to the mercado to finish shopping for their last minute souvenirs while the others went to get some fun hair wraps!! We are so sad that our trip is winding down and do not want to leave Costa Rica!!
-Jimena
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