The two women had left a group of friends in the Caribbean beach town to buy beer and never returned.
Police in Costa Rica reported March 20 that the crime scene indicated that three men were involved with the killings. A local street vendor, his first name of David only given, had become a fugitive as police sought him out for questioning. A witness had seen David with Howell and Eagen a few hours before their deaths, reports said.
Over 1,000 Ohio State students will study abroad this year, a 24 percent increase from last year. The most common destinations in Western Europe and Mexico have long been considered safe, but the shocking murders in Costa Rica may make some feel unsure.
Study abroad coordinator Norm Caban agreed that the killings in Costa Rica were truly a tragedy but maintains that the great majority of students are safe.
“We have always been concerned about safety overseas,” Caban said.
According to Caban, students who study abroad must first attend two to four pre-departure orientations, complete an inoculation schedule and are encouraged to learn about the culture of the country they will be living in. Also, the Office of International Studies is working on a safety video.
Considering student preparation, Caban emphasizes the importance of having common sense when studying abroad.
“If students keep common sense for anything they do, stay with the program and follow the rules, we have no problems,” Caban said .
Although OSU often sends students to study in Ecuador, Chile and Mexico, the university currently has no program in Costa Rica. Many universities, however, do have programs in the country.
Carol F. Robison, the assistant director of the Latin American Studies Program, voiced surprise and sadness over the slayings of the two young women but explained that this type of violence is not common in Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica is statistically far safer than anywhere else you can send an exchange group,” she said.
Because 20 percent of Costa Rica is made up of parks, the country presents an incredible biological resource for students, Robison said.
She believes the tragedy will not have any lasting effect on exchange programs and cautions students on judging Costa Rica.
“You can get killed crossing Neil Avenue,” Robison said.
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