Fourth Friday – July – Costa Rica

Friday, July 24, 2026
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
201 N. Washington Street
Valparaiso, Indiana

The Valparaiso International Center invites you to join us for our next Fourth Friday Speaker Series as we travel to one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse countries—Costa Rica.

Our featured speaker, Meylan Li, will share her personal journey growing up in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, on Costa Rica’s stunning northwestern Pacific coast. Known as the folkloric capital of Costa Rica, Santa Cruz is celebrated for its rich traditions, colorful festivals, music, dance, cuisine, and enduring cultural heritage. Through Meylan’s stories, attendees will gain a firsthand appreciation for the people, history, customs, and natural beauty that make Costa Rica one of the world’s most admired destinations.

Meylan’s own journey has taken her far beyond her homeland. She spent two years living in China, an experience that deepened her appreciation for cultural diversity before returning to Costa Rica to complete high school and earn her Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Today, she calls Valparaiso home, where she works for a long-term care pharmaceutical company while pursuing U.S. licensure as a pharmacist. As a healthcare professional, mother, and advocate for compassion, Meylan embodies the warmth and welcoming spirit for which Costa Ricans are known.

During her presentation, Meylan will introduce us to Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity, vibrant traditions, fascinating history, and the values that have shaped her life. She will also explain the meaning behind Costa Rica’s famous national expression, “Pura Vida,” a phrase that reflects a philosophy of gratitude, optimism, and living life to the fullest.

Whether you have visited Costa Rica, dream of traveling there someday, or simply enjoy learning about other cultures, this promises to be an engaging and inspiring evening. Following the presentation, guests will have an opportunity to ask questions, share in conversation, and enjoy refreshments with Meylan and fellow attendees.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend and join us as we continue our journey around the world—one country at a time—through the Valparaiso International Center’s Fourth Friday Speaker Series.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, July 24!

¡Pura Vida!