Blogs

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the student journey at UD, opening doors to transformational and real-world applications beyond the classroom. One powerful way students gain this experience is through our Education Abroad and Away programs. Thanks to the Tobias Global Leaders Program, these opportunities are now more accessible to students who may not have otherwise had the chance to study abroad.

Funded by a generous gift from UD alumna Deborah Flanagan Tobias ’73 and her husband, Randall, the Tobias Global Leaders Program provides Pell-eligible students with both a passport and a scholarship to participate in an education abroad experience.

This spring break, Yerdley Zeledon-Orozco, a first-year mechanical engineering student from Cincinnati, Ohio, embraced that opportunity by traveling to Costa Rica on a faculty-led program. Immersed in a new environment, he and his classmates applied classroom concepts to real-world scenarios while exploring the country’s vibrant culture and commitment to sustainability. The program in Costa Rica is an integrated component of the students’ spring course, EGR 103: Engineering Innovation, taught by Beth Hart, Principal Lecturer and Director of the Women Engineering Program.

“I chose to go to Costa Rica because of its renewable energy practices and how they’re rooted in preserving wildlife,” Yerdley shared. “It’s something that should be implemented in more parts of the world for a cleaner future.”

Programs like this give students a chance to interact deeply with material they’ve studied at UD. “This trip helped us learn about the pros and cons of renewable energy—like its high costs and maintenance,” he explained. “One of the biggest challenges is its inability to produce energy 24/7. Some days the wind won’t be as strong, the sun will set, and water can be still. It gave us a better understanding of how to keep exploring new solutions—something that directly connects to our class projects.”

Yerdley’s experience in Costa Rica is a powerful example of how education abroad can bring classroom learning to life—broadening perspectives, inspiring new ideas, and deepening students' understanding of their fields. From hands-on exploration to cultural immersion, these moments help shape future engineers and global citizens alike.

Take a look at some of the highlights from Yerdley’s journey in this photo diary:

As a group we visited an Organic Farm where we were able to participate in activities that explored the importance of understanding different plants from Costa Rica and around the world 

We were able to crank a grinder for cane sugar. We learned that cultivation and processing [of cane sugar], particularly in areas like Guanacaste, is deeply rooted in tradition and culture, with sugar cane serving as both a sweetener and a source of income.

At the end of our visit on the farm we separated into groups to cook different dishes for all of us to enjoy as a buffet

We visited a HydroPower Project in Guanacaste, where we learned the importance of water collection and other important sources of renewable energy. This is us exploring one of the reservoirs that is being used for a dam.

We also learned about and got to see some of the wind turbines that they use for renewable energy. At this project, we also had insight into how the government controls and regulates many aspects of human needs compared to other countries.

All of these photos are various collections throughout the different places we have visited in Costa Rica, the beach, places to eat, Ziplining and group photos. These moments served as bonding experiences and relationships that, combined with our renewable energy work, became an important part of our week in Costa Rica.