PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Live to 100: Exploring Longevity in Costa Rica

An educational journey into the blue zones and the secrets of a long life

in partnership with University of Illinois Chicago

We’re excited to share highlights from one of our recent international education programs, which took place in beautiful Costa Rica. Over several days, students from the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences had the unique opportunity to explore what makes life in Costa Rica one of the longest-living in the world — an experience rooted in cultural immersion, academic exchange, and firsthand discovery.

In this article we invite you to delve into this incredible international learning experience!

INTROduction:

This edition of the program was built around the fascinating theme of longevity — or more specifically, “Living to 100.” Students engaged with local communities, learned about traditional diets, sustainable practices, and the strong social ties that support well-being across generations.

Their journey included visits to rural and urban regions of the country, offering meaningful insights into what contributes to long, fulfilling lives. A special focus was given to the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s renowned Blue Zones — areas where people live significantly longer than average.

First Stop: San José — A Gateway to Understanding Costa Rica

“The first part of the program was in San José, a region that stands out for many reasons: its altitude (1,200 meters above sea level), proximity to volcanoes, waterfalls, and high-altitude forests. It provided a valuable first contact for students to understand the dynamics and unique aspects of the country,” shared Renato Góes, our program coordinator.

Beyond breathtaking natural attractions like the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls, the group also visited Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, where students engaged in an academic session focused on the Costa Rican public health system.

They also received an introductory overview of the concept of Blue Zones and the factors that contribute to Costa Rica's reputation for healthy, long lives.

Academic Highlight:

“We then headed to the Nicoya region with the central goal of learning about Blue Zones. A major academic highlight was a lecture by Costa Rican journalist and researcher Jorge Vindas López, known for his work on the Nicoya Peninsula and his involvement in the Netflix documentary on the subject,” Renato explained.

In this session, students were introduced to updated research on longevity, including the cultural, environmental, and lifestyle factors that shape the daily lives of Nicoyans. Jorge Vindas provided real-world context for the practices that promote longevity — from diet and daily physical activity to intergenerational family structures and strong community bonds.

The Blue Zones

The Nicoya Peninsula is one of five recognized Blue Zones worldwide. Inhabitants of these regions are known to live longer, healthier lives — often surpassing the age of 100.

In Nicoya, longevity is attributed to several factors: a plant-based diet centered on corn and beans, low stress levels, natural movement through manual labor, and deep social connections. These findings were popularized globally through the Netflix documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.”

A Taste of Culture: Cooking with Doña Felina

One of the most memorable cultural moments took place in the kitchen, where students had a traditional cooking class with Doña Felina, a local chef who taught them how to prepare Arroz con Pollo (Corn Rice with Chicken) — a classic Costa Rican dish typically served during celebrations and family gatherings.

“It was more than just a cooking class — it was a lesson in heritage, hospitality, and tradition,” commented one of the participants.

Local Impact and Environmental Awareness:

Another unforgettable experience took place at The Monkey Farm, a local non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and community education.

“Students had the chance to interact with the animals, explore the farm, and learn about local plants and ecosystems. They even helped build bridges that monkeys use to safely cross roads,” shared Renato. “Later, they heard personal stories from young volunteers involved in the NGO, who spoke about how the organization had positively impacted their lives.”

Conclusion

From volcanoes to local kitchens, university classrooms to wildlife farms, this Costa Rican learning journey offered an extraordinary range of experiences — each one reinforcing the core values of health, community, and sustainability.

By connecting with people, landscapes, and knowledge systems different from their own, participants left Costa Rica not only inspired but transformed — with a renewed sense of what it means to live a long, meaningful life.

“Such an amazing experience. Our tour guides made it even more special. I would tell other students this is truly an opportunity of a lifetime. What I enjoyed the most was immersing myself in the culture — and ending the trip at the resort was the perfect way to reflect on everything we learned.”

Kayla Arie Smith, Nursing student at UIC

Our special thank you to University of Illinois Chicago – College of Applied Health Sciences and the leadership of Professor Michelle Adams for making this journey possible. Your commitment to creating impactful global education experiences continues to shape future leaders across borders. Thanks for trusting our work!

Our passion for the academic ﬁeld has given us the privilege of actively collaborating with more than 90 universities, offering professional and extracurricular experience journeys directly impacting more than 5000 students.

Explore other stories in our blog, "Beyond Expectations"

Written by:

Fernando Oliveira

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Live to 100: Exploring Longevity in Costa Rica

An educational journey into the blue zones and the secrets of a long life

in partnership with University of Illinois Chicago

INTROduction:

First Stop: San José — A Gateway to Understanding Costa Rica

Beyond breathtaking natural attractions like the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls, the group also visited Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, where students engaged in an academic session focused on the Costa Rican public health system.

They also received an introductory overview of the concept of Blue Zones and the factors that contribute to Costa Rica's reputation for healthy, long lives.

Academic Highlight:

The Blue Zones

A Taste of Culture: Cooking with Doña Felina

Local Impact and Environmental Awareness:

Another unforgettable experience took place at The Monkey Farm, a local non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and community education.

Conclusion

Kayla Arie Smith, Nursing student at UIC

Our passion for the academic ﬁeld has given us the privilege of actively collaborating with more than 90 universities, offering professional and extracurricular experience journeys directly impacting more than 5000 students.

Explore other stories in our blog, "Beyond Expectations"

Written by:

Fernando Oliveira

to go beyond

Navigate here:

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