My
Experience in Costa Rica
Places and People
I cannot believe my month in Costa Rica is ending. It
was a month full of learning, practice, exploration, and fun. I have been to
many beautiful and amazing places like Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal
Volcano, Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago, the beaches and mountains of Jaco,
and more. I have seen many different animals, plants, and places I could only
see in this country. I have met many Ticos and have made many friends from
different parts of the world. There are aspects of the life of Costa Rica that
I will miss, but I'm excited to return to America and see my family, my friends
and my pets.
Education
Now, I'm confident that I can speak to anyone in
Spanish. I'm not afraid to order my food at a restaurant, ask for directions,
or to talk with a new person in Spanish. At Veritas my classes were easier than
I thought would be before coming to Costa Rica, but I learned a lot. It is
interesting to learn Spanish in a different country because Spanish is the
first language of the professors. I have also learned many words and sayings of
Costa Rica that I would not learn at a university in the United States or other
countries. For example:
·
"Con gusto,” which means with
pleasure, is used instead of saying you’re welcome.
·
"Macha" is a girl with
blond hair.
·
"Chiva" means cool.
·
"Soda" is a small,
usually inexpensive restaurant with typical food of the country like a café. There
are thousands in Costa Rica.
·
"Casados" are a typical dish of the
country for lunch or dinner with meat, fish or chicken, rice, beans, salad and
sometimes plantains or potatoes.
·
“Por dios” is a popular saying like
"OMG."
I would never know these sayings and words if I did
not study in Costa Rica. Overall, I learned a lot in my classes and from talking
to different Ticos. My Spanish has improved tremendously this trip.
Food
I thought the food would taste bad and spicy before I
came to Costa Rica; however, the food is very delicious and usually, is not
spicy. Much of the food in Costa Rica is fresh and from local ingredients. Ticos
buy their food from supermarkets or farmers markets. The woman of the house
usually prepares and cooks food for the family. The food has influences from
many countries.
It is common to eat rice and beans every day with any
meal. Rice and beans together are called gallo pinto. Meals for breakfast
include: fruits, juices, bread, pies, eggs, and pancakes. Lunch and dinner are
very similar and often include: gallo pinto, a type of meat and a salad.
Popular dishes are: rice with chicken, seafood, or shrimp, empanadas, pasta,
ceviche (fish), meat stew, tamales and chicharrones (pork). Coffee is a large
export, and I drank it every day. There are many fresh fruit juices, such as
blackberry, mango, pineapple, papaya, starfruit, strawberry, and more.
In my opinion, the food of Costa Rica is healthier
than the food of the United States because it is very fresh and there are
plenty of fruits and vegetables that are easy to buy in the markets. There is not
much processed food. Overall, I enjoyed the food of Costa Rica, which was a relief
because I am a very picky eater.
Culture
I enjoyed learning about the culture of Costa Rica in
my classes, talking with Ticos, and going on excursions to different places. A
part of the culture that I do not like is the way men stare at, speak to, and
yell at the girls here, especially girls who are traveling here. Men treat the
women very poorly and often say inappropriate things. In the market of
Carthage, I had to leave the market because the men were so rude, and I was so
uncomfortable. When Jessica and I walked the streets, men often whistled or
shouted. It is a part of the culture, but it bothers me a lot. On the contrary,
there are many aspects of the culture that I really like such as the: history,
friendly and talkative people, buildings of San Jose, my host family, and much
more.
Living With a Host Family
I think it is necessary to live with a host family if
a person studies in a foreign country, especially if they are learning a new
language. My host family was very small; I lived with my Mama Tica, her two
dogs, and Jessica. My Mama Tica was very loving and kind. She cooked breakfast
and dinner daily and cleaned my clothes. Every day, I talked to my Mama Tica
about her life, culture, my classes, my experiences, and more. I practiced my
Spanish a lot because my Mama Tica did not speak English. She helped me with my
pronunciation and fluency a lot. I would not have learned much about the
culture of Costa Ricans if I had not lived with a host family. I have a strong
relationship with my Mama Tica, and I will miss seeing her every day. It was a
huge part of my experience in Costa Rica.
I enjoyed having a family member to come home to and speak with in Spanish everyday. I consider my Mama Tica my second mom. The food was delicious, and she would not cook foods that I don't like. At first, living in a stranger's home who did not speak English was very intimidating. The first day, I sat in my room scared and bored because I had no idea where I was or what to do. By the second day, I was comfortable with my neighborhood and host family and made friends through people in my program. It was also weird not being able to go in the kitchen and grab a snack or drink whenever I felt like it. Overall, I had as much freedom as if I stayed in a dorm room, but I had the opportunity to connect with a tico and learn more about Costa Rica and its people.
What I Have Learned About Myself
This trip was an experience that I will never forget.
I was homesick at times, but I kept busy with my classes, friends, trips, etc.
Now, I am proud of my fluency in Spanish and how much I learned this trip. I am
more independent and adventurous. I have an open mind, especially about other
people and their cultures. I want to travel to many different parts of the
world and explore the cultures and places. Also, I want to continue to improve
my Spanish for the future. This experience has changed my life for the better,
and I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Pura Vida
