Our Mission and History

Our Mission 

Texas Tech University-Costa Rica exists to share the academic resources of a well-established U.S. university with the younger population of Latin America. Here, you will enjoy academic and student life experiences side-by-side with Latin American classmates and develop your networks in this fascinating country. Your close exposure to one of Latin America's best economies will expand your opportunities to “bear [Tech's] banners far and wide” and compete on the global stage. 

If you are interested in meeting people from other countries, learning Spanish, and immersing yourself in another culture, Texas Tech-Costa Rica is the place to do it! Studying for a summer or a semester in this foreign-yet-familiar place, you will develop global citizenship skills prized by graduate schools and employers alike. 

Our History 

Texas Tech-Costa Rica welcomed its first Study Abroad students from Lubbock in 2019, only a year after opening its doors to Costa Rica-based students. Engineering students came for an international experience including cultural exchange and tourist travel throughout the country. 

Since then, TTU-Costa Rica has also welcomed faculty-led programs offering unique opportunities for Lubbock-based students. Students from the colleges of Engineering, Business, and Human Sciences have participated in the classroom with Costa Rican classmates as well as gaining hands-on learning on field trips around the country. Interns from these colleges now can pursue their professional practice in Costa Rica as well, with help from TTU-CR's Career Services office. 

Now, it's your turn to participate in the history and expansion of Texas Tech's footprint in Latin America. 

For example, The Renewable Energy and Architecture programs are particularly relevant given Costa Rica's reputation as a leader in sustainable development and green energy initiatives. Through these programs, students have the opportunity to learn about innovative renewable energy technologies, green building practices, and sustainable design principles, while also exploring the local cultural and historical context in which these practices are situated. 
Also we have been visited by Faculty interested in programs related to World Heritage, Agriculture, and Sustainability that are also highly valuable, as they provide students with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing communities around the world. These programs enable students to engage with local experts, community members, and organizations to explore the social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of these issues, while also developing intercultural competence and global citizenship skills. 

Overall, the expansion of the TTU Costa Rica program to include Faculty-led programs is a testament to the program's commitment to providing students with diverse and immersive learning experiences that foster intellectual and personal growth. The inclusion of specialized academic programs and visits from interested faculty members further enhances the program's reputation as a leader in study abroad education and demonstrates its ongoing commitment to promoting intercultural competence, global citizenship, and sustainable development. 

In addition to the existing programs Texas Tech University CR launched a student internship program in Costa Rica. The program provides students with valuable professional experience, enabling them to apply their academic knowledge and skills in real-world settings while also developing cross-cultural competencies and global networks.

This initiative underscores our commitment to providing students with a wide range of educational opportunities and preparing them for success in a rapidly changing global landscape. We are confident that this program provides students with valuable skills, experiences, and networks that will help them achieve their academic and professional goals.