PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 27, 2022) – While many students across the U.S. dealt with drought conditions and winter blizzards this spring semester, Prairie View A&M University senior Shaylan Young ‘22 (now a graduate) was dipping her toes in the sand while experiencing a different culture as a study abroad student in Costa Rica.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to travel the world, and studying abroad was something I had thought about before but not necessarily considered,” said Young, who received a Bachelor of Science in Communication (Concentration in Mass Communication) degree from PVAMU this semester.
Young learned about the PVAMU Study Abroad program shortly after arriving at the university. Her dream of traveling internationally took flight last August while visiting Cancun, Mexico. That’s when she knew she “definitely” wanted to apply for the program, which she said had been well-advertised.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Okay, I really do want to travel outside of the country more often,’” said Young. “I didn’t have a lot on my plate this semester, so I decided that this would be a great time before I graduate and leave.”
Young said Marcus King, program coordinator for the Office of International Programs at PVAMU, and his team made the transition from at home to studying abroad as effortless as possible.
“The International Program at PV was incredible,” said Young. “Mr. King provided great assistance. They really, really just did everything that I needed them to do in order to assist me and get me there. I have to give them all the credit.”
Back to Old School
Young said her experience in Costa Rica was amazing. Her host family of four was more than accommodating, providing her with her own bedroom and bathroom for privacy.
Young and her host family in Costa Rica
“The living experience was quite enjoyable,” said Young. “It’s very comfortable for me because I grew up as an only child, so I’m used to having my own space and living in my own environment. I like to have my own space sometimes.”
The classrooms were open air and relaxing, but technology in the classrooms took Young a step back in time. She said there’s nothing “fancy” about it.
“There’s still a lot of the older equipment that we don’t even have in the U.S. anymore,” said Young. “A lot of older desks, projectors and things like that. However, it’s their way of life, and it’s normal for them. They’re not in a rush to advance their technology. It’s kind of cool.”
To study abroad, students must complete the required coursework with a satisfactory grade, which will, in turn, secure the financial assistance available for individual travel and accommodations. Courses taken abroad must be within a student’s degree plan. While in Costa Rica, Young took classes in Spanish, dance, women’s health and cultures.
Compared to PVAMU, Young said the classes were easy. One class required presentations the entire semester, and grading for others involved exams at only the midterm and end of the semester.
“Spanish, if anything, had the most outside work because I was constantly practicing it in public,” said Young.”
Fun in the Sun
Every other weekend or so, Young and her classmates traveled to different cities in Costa Rica. They went to La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, and Manuel Antonio. Each location brought its own share of unique experiences—including an active volcano in La Fortuna.
“Our hotel was actually sitting right in front of it,” she said. “So, it was my first time seeing a volcano, let alone living in front of a volcano. And then later, I actually went horseback riding up that volcano. That was a great experience.”
In Puerto Viejo, Young said her godmother came to visit. The meeting offered a bit of relief because Young was growing a little homesick. Also, she had been having a difficult time finding a place to get her hair done. Puerto Viejo presented her with a chance encounter.
“That was a great experience because it allowed me to see other people who look like me,” said Young, who spoke of Puerto Viejo and its neighboring city Limon, which have large African descendant populations. “I ended up getting my hair braided in that city,” Young said.
However, it was Young’s visit to Manuel Antonio, with its national park and beaches, that left the PVAMU senior chuckling as she shared the memory.
“I love being at the beach,” said Young. “The sand was so white. The water was crystal clear. It was a beautiful day. And they also have monkeys that were not shy.” Young said the wild animals were all along the beach and across the park.
“I’ve never been that close to a monkey before, let alone that many,” she said. “And they were cute, but they were also vicious.”
Black is Beautiful Everywhere
While the experience was positive overall, there were some peculiarities Young didn’t expect.
“The program is nice,” said Young. “There were students from all over the [U.S.], so it’s interesting to meet different people. I was the only Black person—of course—so I got a lot of attention and interesting questions.”
Young said she got used to the country, but she did not get used to people staring at her.
“Kids will stare at me because they’ve never seen a gorgeous Black woman before,” Young said. “It’s just all part of the experience.”
She said her confidence carries her through moments that could otherwise make another person uncomfortable. “I’ve gotten used to the stares. I take it as a compliment, honestly.”
Beyond the stares, Young said her study abroad experience taught her a lot about herself, allowing her to come to terms with some of the struggles that had been a part of her life for so long. She embraces her potential.
“I’ve realized that there are still a few things that I have to work on,” Young said. “But I have realized there are still some pieces of me that I have not outgrown yet.”
Young said that she recently went through a traumatic experience that resurfaced old memories she thought she had overcome.
“But I have noticed that I handle situations better than what I have before,” Young said. “This is like the biggest thing I’ve ever done, let alone the craziest thing I’ve ever done. But it does help me to realize that I’m really not afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that I feel are good for me in those moments.”
Study Abroad Beckons
Young said she would definitely recommend studying abroad to other students. “However, I would think that you have to be prepared for anything that may happen to you—or for you. You have to really ask yourself if this is a decision that you want to go through with. It takes a lot of preparation.”
Young said her experience in Costa Rica would have been even more rewarding if there had been others with similar life experiences whom she could have shared her time with. “There are not enough Black students willing to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world as study abroad students,” she said.
“I think it’s great, especially for Black students. We need to explore; we need to get out of the country more; we need to have these experiences and be able to share them.”
Young plans to do more traveling this summer while catering to her cosmetics and media businesses (Snatched by Shaylan and Staged by Shaylan).
PVAMU study abroad applications for spring and summer 2023 open in August. More information about programs and how to apply is posted at studyabroad.pvamu.edu.
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