Lucas Saacks, a junior exercise science major, aspires to be a Physical Therapist. He is from Cary, North Carolina and wanted to experience life outside of the Appalachian mountains in order to gain a wider perspective.
In September of 2017, Saacks decided that traveling abroad for school would help provide him that perspective. He had his mind set on New Zealand or Australia, mainly because English is their primary language. Upon further investigation, Saacks found that these countries were the most expensive and study abroad opportunities were extremely competitive. That’s when Costa Rica entered the picture. With the help of the Appalachian State Office of International Education, Saacks found Universidad Veritas, a local school in the city of San Jose where courses are taught in English. Dr. Kelly Cole, the Department Chair of Health and Exercise Science, helped Saacks select the appropriate classes that would count for credit in his program and with the support of the William Glenn Little International Travel Endowment for Health Sciences Scholarship, Saacks' dream of gaining a wider perspective came to fruition.
To learn more about his aspiring profession, Saacks signed up for an Introduction to Physical Therapy course that is taught by a certified, practicing physical therapist who is well-versed in a wide range of sports injuries and various rehabilitation techniques. To learn about the vast world of alternative medicine, he took a course called Holistic Health Approaches. And to further explore the “tico” culture, he enrolled in a Theory of Latin American Dance and a class called Migration, Globalization and Social Change. Saacks was determined to learn more about how the world and people around him are changing through movement and the spread of economic globalization.
Saacks was still a bit apprehensive about his venture to another country, especially since he had not practiced his Spanish since high school. However, his classes were taught by Costa Ricans who were fluent in English and experts in their fields. Saacks was especially impressed with his Physical Therapy course. On one of their field trips, the Physical Therapy instructor took all eight of the students to his home-based clinic and allowed them to use the various taping and massage methods he had taught them in class. This experience solidified Saacks’ desire to become a physical therapist.
Lucas Saacks (bottom of photo) pictured with classmates in Costa Rica. Photo submitted.
Saacks also feels what he learned outside of the classroom will prove to be beneficial for years to come, “I have a deeper knowledge of both the lives of Costa Rican citizens, as well as migrants from around the world. I can use this knowledge to promote a more culturally competent way of life and advocate for increased diversity and inclusion on campus. It will also impact my long-term professional career, providing me with skills for developing a holistically inclusive practice, helping patients from all walks of life.”
While he was homesick in the beginning, by the end of the semester, he was not ready to leave. “Going outside of your comfort zone allows you to open your mind and become more receptive to other cultures and ways of life,” said Saacks.
A bit of advice from Saacks, “To my fellow health science students, don’t worry so much about the specific classes you think you want to take. Keep an open mind to courses that may not be specific to your major. Courses will open up, so let your mind do the same.”
Lucas Saacks
Lucas Saacks