Study Abroad

I arrived in Heredia, Costa Rica on January 13th, 2023, and I was a nervous wreck. On the one hand, I was super excited to see the beautiful wildlife and scenery of Costa Rica, but on the other hand, I was completely alone. There were about thirty other students in this particular study abroad program, but no one was from Clemson, and I had to leave behind my family and fiancé. I have been outside the country before. I visited Peru with my mother, but I always had family with me. I felt truly alone. Not to mention, I signed up for nineteen credit hours, the most I have ever had to complete, as well as my internship. I knew the road ahead of me was going to be difficult, but I was determined to make good grades, improve my Spanish, and assimilate into Costa Rican culture. I lived with my host mom, Marcela, who was so kind and caring to me. She always ensured I had clean clothes and delicious food for every meal of the day and was on time for the bus every morning. It was strange at first since Costa Rica is two hours behind Eastern Time, which was what I was used to. 

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Every day I was able to see the gorgeous mountain ranges on my way to school. Classes were set up to be Monday through Thursday; I had two on Mondays and Thursdays and one on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have to admit it was nice having Fridays off. Everyone had to take a Spanish class, either level I, II, III, or IV. It turns out the majority of the group was in the same level I was in, level IV. Aside from class, we would have soccer games every Thursday. That is when I learned that the other students were really nice and outgoing. They invited me out for ice creams, dinners, and malls. I think my favorite part of the trip was when we went to visit Boca del Toro for spring break, the beaches there were beautiful. 

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The heart of Costa Rican culture lies in the cherished phrase "Pura Vida," meaning "pure life." It embodies the country's laid-back attitude and appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. Whether greeting a neighbor on the street or marveling at the sunset over the ocean, Costa Ricans embrace the meaning of Pura Vida with a contagious optimism that permeates every aspect of daily life. When I first heard that phrase I thought it was lovely and when I actually saw how much happier the people of Costa Rica are I was surprised. They are definitely much happier than the people in the United States, proving "Pura Vida" is not just a saying, but a way of life.

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One cannot travel to Costa Rica without acknowledging its culinary delights. Delicious traditional dishes such as gallo pinto, casado, and ceviche all derived from locally sourced ingredients like rice, beans, plantains, and fresh seafood. Cuisines in Costa Rica are more than just food; it's a celebration of the country's rich agricultural heritage and culinary creativity. I got the opportunity to take a cooking class where I got to make all the traditional and popular dishes of Costa Rica. All the dishes tasted so fresh and clean, and were fairly easy to make. I had a much better diet while living in Costa Rica and I miss the food almost everyday.

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I remember when we had our last dinner together as a program and feeling really sad that I may not ever see these people again. These people were there for me to help cheer me up about being alone and so far away from home. We relied on each other since we were all going through the same thing. I was also going to miss my host family who were nothing but kind to me. They helped me navigate the country and taught me all about Costa Rican Culture. I believe I came out of that trip a happier person and was very glad that I got pushed out of my comfort zone. Also, my view on society improved since all the people I met in Costa Rica were kind to me. The students I met who attended the university were so excited to get to know me and spend time with me while they toured me around the city. The professors were always there for me and willing to work with me when I was struggling. When my Spanish professor found out I struggled with timed exams, he was willing to give me more time to finish, and I was so grateful for that. 

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I definitely want to visit Costa Rica again. I had such a blast, and I want to explore more parts of the country that I did not get to see during my study abroad. The food is amazing, and there are so many sights to see and I can not wait to go again next time with my family or fiancé.