What would you need to be a good cultural ambassador if you return?

We almost missed our flight to O’Hare!

There are many things that make you a good cultural ambassador! Here is a list that I created throughout my time while studying.

  1. Have an open mind!
  2. Try new food. Even if you think you may not like it. BUT if it’s papaya don’t try it. It smells as good as it tastes, which is bad.
  3. Don’t think you know everything about everyone because you have a few friends who speak the language. Everyone is different and not all cultures are the same.
  4. It’s ok to cry because you are frustrated and people keep speaking to you in English rather than allowing you to practice Spanish.
  5. Do everything you can, even if it costs money, even if it is out of your comfort zone, even if you did something similar at home, BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN YOU WILL HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN!

What I want to remember

I want to remember that I am a spoiled brat back home. I am so privileged and need to remember that I am very comfortable back home. Walking through the small town of Quepos allows for you to see the way of life here. There are children playing with old baby dolls and random home items. My host family had a distant cousin and her son was just 2 years old. His name is Aiden and he is the happiest, cutest, and most easy going baby I’ve ever met. His mom did not receive child support from her ex and there was a lot of struggle. The few items I did not have room for in my suitcase I was able to give to them. Items such as wet wipes (it gets hot and sticky there), sunscreen (I had brought it from home because it was too expensive to buy in CR), and feminine hygiene products that I did not need.

I know that I am not as well off as other NCC students, but I do know that I am in a better financial position than Aiden and his mom. I hope nothing but the best for them and I really enjoyed the time I had with him. I took him to the little store around the corner and bought him little juices that he would normally not get at home. I am so grateful that they included me in the little things. Gracias Aiden, Marlene y Cindy ❤

Yady’s

This ice cream shop was the most amazing hole in the wall ice cream shop. I have to stop going because it is too dangerously good and will make me broke by half of our trip. I could not recommend it enough!!! The cheesecake flavor is out of this world

Vlog video was emailed because the free plan did not allow for videos to be unloaded

San Jose is the last leg

After Panama it was time to return to Costa Rica and we had to go to our second host family. We were all lucky enough to get to live together. It was more than interesting…

Our host family had a restaurant! It was a cute little cafe
Took this in front of the Art Museum. Also it was FREE to get in
I went to a little ice cream shop that I went to when I was a little girl living down the street.
The amount of cool trucks I saw while at my internship was unreal! Can’t find these bad boys back home

Panama was PARADISE

We went to Panama by car and it was not at all what I was expecting. It was even BETTERRRR!

Last day on the beautiful island of Bocas del Toro
There are so many islands!
Chilling with my girls
The hotel even had a pool! We took full advantage
Had to REPRESENT our Maximo Nivel

Cross-Culture Reflection

During my time abroad I have learned many things. From what ‘tico time’ truly means to the unconditional love my host family has for me. I have learned that many Ticos have an idea of what it is to be from the United States but they also don’t know very much about the culture. They base it off of movies and TV shows that portray us to be something is not anything like what we actually are. 

While at my internship, my coworker who is the same age as myself, was asking me if what it’s like in Mean Girls, is what high school is like in the US. I laughed of course and thought she was kidding but then I realized she was being dead serious. I explained that it could depend on the type of high school but for the most part, cliques do exist but not to that extent. I have learned from many conversations that family is the most important thing here. It is even noticeable when walking through the streets or even the mall. Dads are holding babies and their kids hands while also holding their significant others hand, and it is very different from what you would see back home. The concept that family is the most important thing you can have in life. Friends are great but you won’t see friends hanging out or staying the night at your house, you’ll see family, parents, grandparents, siblings, babies and everyone in between kissing each other and hugging no matter where you are at. Reflecting on the importance of family, I do wish and crave that families back home would be more like that. I wish you would see more families holding hands and admiring each other the way they do here. It also makes me, as half Costa Rican, want to share that characteristic that we have with others. The many stereotypes that people from the US have, while hurtful and annoying as they are, are kinda true. Our host family in San Jose, actually asked us if people walk around with guns? We were all taken aback by the question but also understood. I really enjoy conversations about what the US is depicted as versus what it is actually like. I believe that it helps understand both cultures and expand our worldviews. 

I also believe that I have adapted to ‘tico time’ quite well. ‘Tico time’ is an expression that excuses the fact that everything runs late. The buses, classes, appointments and much much more. At first, I could say that it quite honestly drove me insane. I couldn’t understand why people were so ok with being a little late to everything. What kind of way of life is?- I would ask myself everyday! Now, I even use that excuse when I’m running a little late to something. It works out quite nicely, but I know it’ll be rough getting back to being early just to be on time. Life is much more relaxing here, there is no rush (minus the traffic rush), and everyone is just happy with the way it is. 

Journal 9: letter to self

Dear Emily,

I hope that you made the most out of your study abroad experience. I hope that you didn’t hold back and that you tried everything that was possible. Don’t hold back because you are worried about spending money but still be smart with your money. I hope that you make the most out of the time with the people going because you guys are such a small group. I hope that you guys are scared to try stuff (food, activities, and much more) because you are scared to venture out of your comfort zone. You have to try things that scare you the most (like heights) and try and conquer them. Go zip-lining and don’t worry about what others think. Make yourself at home while still being respectful because you are Costa Rican and do belong there. I know you are worried about not fitting in because you haven’t been back and you have an accent but that is something that can change. You are part of the culture and the people and you have so much family that supports you there. Don’t be afraid while you are there to say you were born there and are one of them, don’t be ashamed to show off both sides of yourself like you are here at home. Make yourself proud. You will miss Tim and the girls but you can do it and they will wait right here when you get back. Don’t be scared that they won’t be with you and they will all be at the airport when you land. You will miss them but that is part of the experience and think about the research you will be doing there to distract yourself. You got the grant you know your research and you are smart. You need to gather your data and talk to local natives for it but you got it. Look how far and much you have accomplished just this one year at NCC and how strong you are. This was a very shitty year from the start but you get to focus on school while in Costa Rica and your internship will go fine. You are super friendly and know the language you will do great!

I want you to focus on yourself while you are there and focus on connecting with the country that you were forced to leave at such a young age. You can enjoy yourself and relax and live in the sunshine when it starts to get cold here. Enjoy the temperature, the weather, the people, the food, and so much more. Be happy and grateful that you have this opportunity that some would love to have. You are a hard-worker and a motivated student and will be great in all aspects of being there. Make the most out of the time you are there and enjoy things that you can’t in the US. Don’t worry about Papi and all his nonsense and make this trip about you not like the others have been for him. But mostly, this is your trip and get this thesis work done because you don’t want to procrastinate and do it all when you get back. Stay happy and strong.

Blog 9: A key event

Juan Santamaria Day is a key event in Costa Rican history. As I presented Juan Santamaria in another blog post about important Costa Ricans, I think it be important and significant that I speak about an important day that is very much celebrated still in Costa Rica. Juan Santamaria Day is celebrated every April 11th with grand celebrations. Depending on the area of the country it is celebrated differently however a party is held regardless. The day celebrates the victory of Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria at the Battle of Rivas against U.S Citizen William Walker. William Walker had already overthrown the Nicaraguan government and was heading further into Central American countries. Due to Juan’s bravery the victory is still celebrated today regardless of the country’s No Army stance.

Celebrations are spread out in Costa Rica with parades, parties, dances, and concerts. The largest parties are held in the Alajuela, were Juan Santamaria was born and raised and are a must to participate in if you are there in April. Little drummer boys dress and march with flags, representing the love and devotion to the nations hero. Drums are a crucial aspect of the celebrations as Santamaria was just a drummer boy and became the hero he is today. Music and hand-made drums of any kind are marched and played throughout the streets. Attractions such as trapezists, dancers, and school groups all march the streets to celebrate the glorious day. The day may be compared to the 4th of July in the U.S with different school bands and students marching the streets and throwing candy, to paint a picture of the day. The national colors: blue, red, and white are wore through different uniforms and traditional Costa Rican clothing. The day is typically very hot and parties begin throughout the day. In provinces such as: Puntarenas, Limon, and Guanacaste, the more beach provinces parties take place on boats with large sails throughout the ocean. Each provinces has different celebrations for the day and because school is still in session, student craft days before the big event. I remember as a kid in private school in Costa Rica we were taught about the day and made different drawings and pictures for our parents. We were taught about the battles and the highs and lows of the fighting in Central America while in the US we’re are just taught the nice and sheltered version of history. The reality of how Juan Santamaria saved Costa Rica was always taught to us as kids and is very much expresses through the festivities of the day.

Journal 8: Lows and Highs

Throughout my time in Costa Rica I know there will be plenty of personal high and lows. This is an experience that is going to change my life while I am there and then upon my return as well. From talking to other students who have studied abroad as well as doing the activities in the Maximizing Study Abroad book, I will face some hardships while I am away. I do want to add that while I was born in Costa Rica and my entire dad’s side of the family lives there, I do not consider it home anymore. As sad as that sounds I will miss home and will be homesick just as much as the kids who have never left home. That being said, my low points may happen with simple things that I messed up on such as: My sister’s birthday was while I was abroad and that made me miss my family, or I got on the wrong bus and ended up somewhere else rather than my original destination. In addition to having low points I know I will also have high points and that it is important to stay positive and be grateful for the opportunity to study abroad. Some high points may be navigating to the city and leading the way, or planning a small trip for myself and the others going. The high points will outweigh the low ones and staying positive and being grateful will keep me going.

While I am there and I have some low points I will have to cope with them. Some coping strategies our book gives us are: keeping a journal, get involved and stay busy to avoid sadness, or plan excursions with others on the trip. I know personally, I do better when I am busy and from my previous study abroad in Spain I learned that I need to stay busy and contact every once in awhile my family rather than over communicating with them and missing them more. I also know that because this trip is longer and I will have family there with me I will be alright and always have someone there that I can talk to or even the girls that are also going.

In addition to personal coping, and hardships there will also be awareness of culture. Cultural awareness is very important and the activity done on page 105 of our book allowed me to see how aware I am of a culture. In some aspects I was unconscious competence and in others I was conscious competence. There were no aspects that I was incompetent in. I think that because I was born and grew up in Costa Rica I am a bit more aware of the culture than others who have never traveled outside of the US. While there might be some unknown aspects of the culture that may make me incompetent, those were not examples listed in the book. I hope that my unawareness of these aspects impedes on my time and immersion of Costa Rica.