Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and professional growth can be daunting, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Katie, a former grant writer from Alaska, found herself yearning for a change, a spark to reignite her passion for life and work.
Her search led her to the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy , where she found not only a new career path but also a supportive community and a beautiful learning environment.
In this interview, Katie shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs during her time at CRSMT, offering insights and inspiration for anyone considering a similar leap.
Can you tell us who you are and where you’re from?
My name is Katie, and I'm from Alaska.
What were you doing before massage school?
Before I came to massage school, I was doing grant writing and a lot of technical assistance coordination, and I hated it.
How did you decide that massage therapy was the career change you were looking for?
I was looking for a change because I felt like I lost a lot of passion in just my life in general. And I knew that I wanted a career that brought that passion back. And I found this.
How did you find the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy?
You guys were the first one on the Google search engine, and I clicked it in. The photos and videos, like, this one just looked amazing. And no one had dry eyes, and I knew that there's something to it here. You know, this place is special.
What’s it like to study and learn on the CRSMT Campus?
The outdoor classrooms are amazing. I love it. The openness, just the rain and the sun. It's beautiful. You have lizards and butterflies and dogs and cats just come through, and they're all students, too. I think the openness in the classroom is really reflective of the energy that the school brings. Everyone wants to be here. No one's forced to be here. So you're not with a group of people that aren't trying.
What’s something that surprised you about the experience?
Every single student that comes has such a different background, but everyone's accepted here, and it's not an environment where you have to feel embarrassed about anything, even with emotional releases. I was super nervous about that and when it would come, if it would come, but when it did, because it will, it's nothing to even think about. It's just. That's what it is. It's a release, and releases are needed.
Can you talk about the curriculum and academics?
So the curriculum was very intense, like they tell you, but it's definitely doable. You know, find your group of people that you study with. I always thought I was a person to study by myself, but I found that the more I got either with that one-on-one person that I loved studying with, or in a group that I did so much better on. Just all the exams, all my challenges were internal, so a lot of it was missing home or feeling like maybe other students were doing so much better than me. But you just kind of have to shake off that voice and remember, like, you're here for a reason. If you had told me a year ago that I would be a massage student and now a massage therapist, I would not have believed you.
Tell us about the town of Sámara.
Living in Sámara for the past five and a half months has just been so, so much fun. It's everything that I wanted in a study abroad program, and the food is amazing. If you're not trying as much food as possible, I don't know what you came to. The food was one of my favorite parts.
Can you share some of your favorite memories from your time studying abroad?
My favorite memories would have to be Arriba night, as it's infamously known. Well, a few of us went to the beach, and then we just decided that we would head down to one of the local hangouts. And it was also ladies night. So dangerous. But it was amazing because the whole dance floor was just filled with massage students, and it was the best time.
What was your experience learning Craniosacral therapy like?
I loved craniosacral. It was one of my favorite parts of the program, for sure. Kate, our instructor, was amazing to the best. And our water day, which was the very last day of class, it was just fun to be out in the water with the students, with everybody, and have that kind of final moment together in a way where we're literally all connected by the water.
What will you do next?
The next steps for me are to pass the MBLEx. And I'm actually looking to open my own practice. So, yeah, I'm going to start that journey. And, you know, if you're ever in Metlakatla, Alaska, come by my studio.
Can you share a piece of advice for someone looking into CRSMT for their massage therapy education?
The advice I would give someone that is unsure if they want to study abroad. Why not? This is such a beautiful and safe way to dip your toes into something that is beyond your world. And I don't think anyone should miss this experience. If you have the opportunity.
Katie’s journey from a disheartened grant writer to a confident massage therapist is a testament to the transformative power of pursuing one’s passion. Her story highlights the importance of finding a supportive and enriching environment to facilitate personal and professional growth. As she prepares to open her own practice in Alaska, Katie reflects on her time at CRSMT with gratitude and excitement for the future. For anyone contemplating a change in career or considering studying abroad, Katie’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to find your true calling and embrace new opportunities.
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy is the world’s premier study abroad program for massage therapy. We offer a 600 to 750 hour COMTA Accredited Massage Therapy course which satisfies the licensing requirements for massage therapy in most of the United States. Additionally, we offer continuing education for massage therapists.