Mi Vida Después Costa Rica

I have been home from Costa Rica for about a week now, and it has been different adjusting back to my old life. It is weird going from such a structured routine of classes and home life to having more freedom again. I can drive where I want to go and know where I am at again. Although it is nice to relax at home and see my family, I already miss the lifestyle I had in Costa Rica and all the new adventures that I experienced. I miss having a structured routine everyday and always having a plan to visit somewhere new in the country. As much as I love to be home and relax, I am craving a new adventure and to explore new places. I used to enjoy being home all summer and laying around all day, but after this experience, it is frustrating to be so bored. Although I do not miss sitting in a classroom every day, it saddens me that I no longer use Spanish all day or at all. I am looking into different opportunities, such as volunteering at a local school with many Spanish-speaking students, to bring the language back into my daily life. I enjoy eating American food again and sleeping in my own bed the most, aside from seeing my friends and family. 

Since I was only gone for a month, I did not experience that big of a culture shock coming back to the United States, however, there are still changes in my life. In my opinion, the biggest differences between the United States and Costa Rican culture are: the pace of life, the way men behave, and the food. Life in Costa Rica is much more relaxed and slow paced. There is no rush to be on time to places, and the people are much friendlier and laid-back. In the U.S., most people are very busy and always in a rush to get things done. It was a nice change of pace to live in such a relaxed atmosphere. Now that I am home, I feel constant pressure to be doing something, and it is hard to sit and take a break. On the other hand, it is nice to not be stared at everywhere I walk because I am white and blonde. The men here have more respect for women, and it is not okay to yell or whistle at women who walk in the streets in most areas. Lastly, the food varies between the two countries. In Costa Rica, much of the food is carb-based and it is common to eat rice and beans every day (a dish I am very sick of). I miss the fresh fruits that I had everyday and drinking a glass of fresh fruit juice with every meal. Being back in the U.S., I am glad to be able to drink a glass of milk with dinner (Milk is not a common drink in Costa Rica, instead it is used to cook and make smoothies.) and snack when I am hungry. 

It is hard to explain everything that I did while abroad to my family and friends because some of the things, such as living with a host family, understanding the culture, and seeing all the breathtaking places, need to be experienced first-hand. When I was in Costa Rica, I thought after a month I was ready to go home because I was homesick; however, now that I am home, I wish I would have stayed another month to keep seeing new things and to learn more of the language. When I was in Costa Rica, I missed home greatly, and now that I am home, I want to be back in Costa Rica. It is a struggle that only those who have lived abroad will understand. 

I have grown so much as a person this past month and will never forget my amazing time abroad. I did not realize how independent I have become and all the opportunities I want to pursue now that I have lived abroad, such as volunteering, continuing to learn the language, and traveling to new countries. Through this experience, I have completely stepped out of my comfort zone and have a new understanding and appreciation for all of the different cultures around the world and hope to explore as many as I possibly can. Most importantly, I have discovered the true meaning of the Spanish saying used throughout Costa Rica "pura vida." The saying translates to pure life and means to live everyday to the fullest. I plan on continuing to studying Spanish and hope to live in a Spanish-speaking country again in the future!

Saying goodbyes at the airport.