In April, Sophia Steinhauer returned from a six-month mission trip to Costa Rica. Although this wasn't her first time traveling abroad, Steinhauer's recent trip helped her gain some clarity about her path moving forward.

Steinhauer graduated from Solanco High School in 2020 and took a mission trip to Paraguay shortly after. There, she discovered an affinity for South American culture. Upon her return, she began working as a barista upon her return to Lancaster. Steinhauer currently works at Latte Luv in Strasburg (when she's not overseas).

Ever since Steinhauer's first trip, she's been thinking of ways that she could combine her passion for coffee, South American culture and serving the community. An opportunity presented itself through Atlas Travel and Study Abroad, a program that would allow her to learn Spanish, study the Bible and return to South America at the same time. Steinhauer left in September to live in Santo Domingo for the duration of the program.

Once she arrived in Costa Rica, Steinhauer was immediately faced with a variety of challenges. Although she had studied Spanish for years, she still experienced a language barrier between herself and the locals. "It was a really humbling experience. Nothing prepares you for being in the entire world of fluent people," Steinhauer said.

On weekdays, Steinhauer had six hours of training: three were dedicated to learning Spanish, and three were reserved for biblical theology classes. The classes were taught by professors from across Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Steinhauer said the most rewarding aspect of the program was living alongside the locals and developing a bond with them as they shared their culture with her. Many local cafes let her work their espresso machines behind the counter and taught her various techniques as Steinhauer fostered friendships with the owners. "The goodbyes were hard," Steinhauer added.

On weekends, Steinhauer and her classmates split into groups and traveled to various locations throughout the country. In San Ramon, Steinhauer's group assisted with the training of young Costa Ricans as they prepared to take mission trips to Southeast Asia. The training entailed Bible study and methods of connecting with people from different cultures through the common thread of Jesus Christ's teachings. "Many of them were young adults like us. We worked alongside them, encouraging and challenging them," Steinhauer said. Atlas Travel and Study Abroad partners with different ministries in Costa Rica to allow its members to assist with missionary training.

Before embarking on her most recent trip, Steinhauer had a vision to open her own coffee shop in South America to raise funds for survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse. Her vision has changed slightly, and she now hopes to open a business in the United States with the same goal in mind. In the fall, Steinhauer will attend Lancaster Bible College to study business administration and to minor in intercultural studies.

"(As a result of studying abroad,) I feel way more confident in the pursuit of my calling and purpose in this world," Steinhauer said. "I'm open to my path changing and being led by the Lord, but I'm pursuing coffee because I love it. I've seen myself grow so much through it."