Carmen Grace Salazar Salas, Ph.D. is coordinator of Recreation Master´s degree programme at the University of Costa Rica.
In one sentence: What does leisure mean to you?
Leisure is an emotional disposition that allows people to get involved in activities, such as recreation, and enjoy them. Recreation includes activities performed during free time and helps obtaining integral development because their consequences are always positive. Contrary to recreation, negative diversion includes activities performed during free time that cause harmful consequences for people.
What leisure projects, research and/or activities are you involved in?
I am involved in research related to the Photovoice Technique, women and community. I was part of a research project regarding immigration in Costa Rica and recreation. In my free time, I love dancing, spending time with friends and family, colouring mandalas, and hand knitting.
How do you promote the development of leisure and leisure studies?
I founded a master´s degree program in Recreation at the University of Costa Rica. I am the Coordinator of that program. In my recreation classes and in academic and governmental activities, I emphasize that Recreation is as an independent career and not part of Physical Education. This conceptualization is present in many Latin American countries.
How did you hear about WLO?
A colleague told me about the Organization.
Why did you decide to become a member of WLO?
I would like to meet people from different countries who are interested in recreation/leisure studies to share experiences and learn from them.
What kind of synergies would you like to develop through your WLO membership?
Those that help networking and promoting professional recreation training at my University and country.
