The Costa Rican Immersion

In Santa Ana, Costa Rica, I was able to have the amazing opportunity to study and volunteer for my Spanish minor during January of 2016. Coming from Elmhurst College in the Chicago area, I was definitely a little nervous at first, but very enthusiastic for a new learning experience. During the first week in Costa Rica, I can honestly say that it was a really big cultural shock for me. It was my first time in a third world country, and the fact that my home-stay family didn't know any English at all really intensified that fear for me. But I really wanted to look on the bright side and really make the most of my experience. I figured that even though I wasn't fully fluent in Spanish just yet, the experience of living with my Costa Rican family would really push and force me to speak in Spanish. And honestly, after looking back at that experience, it really did improve my fluency in Spanish! I actually started to think in Spanish, and it amazed me at how fast you could improve your language skills by actually living in another country.

My Costa Rican host mom and her granddaughter

A vibrant rainbow appeared outside my host family's home in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican food was outstanding! My host mom really impressed me with her cooking skills, and I am really missing her food now that I type these words and reflect on my experience. The delicious rice and beans come with just about every meal that I had in Costa Rica. I loved the tasty platanos (cooked plantains) and the Mora (Blackberry) juice! It was honestly one of the best juices I've ever had in my life!

Delightful batidos (smoothies) consumed almost everyday at a local smoothie store

Tasty home-cooked meal with rice, beans, potatoes, mixed tomatoes, and mora (blackberry) juice

Drank a coconut drink on the way to the beach

Delicious serving of rice and beans with platanos (plantains) and a salad

Volunteering abroad in Costa Rica really did impact me so much because the whole experience really opened my eyes as to just how fortunate I am to live in America. I truly valued my experiences with getting to know the local Costa Rican people. During one of my volunteer experiences, I was able to play BINGO with the elderly in a Centro Diurno (Day Center) and really engage with them to build a better understanding of their lives and why they enjoy playing so much. The whole experience really gives them an opportunity to have fun and enjoy the company of others in the community.

Location of the elderly community in the town of Santa Ana, Costa Rica

The announcer revealing the numbers in the game of BINGO

Volunteer BINGO moment

Another volunteer opportunity that I included during my experience took place at the Santa Ana Conservation Center. During this time, I obtained the exciting opportunity to help clean up the local forest preserves. I provided my help by raking the leaves on the paths and also helping cleanse and nurture the greenhouse gardens. These moments of volunteering really gave me and the other volunteers the opportunity to really get to know each other on a deeper and more personal level. We were all in the same boat, and we all had the same mindset that we really wanted to make a true difference by helping others in the Costa Rican community.

Conservation Center location in Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Raking leaves at the Conservation Center of Santa Ana

Along with this rewarding opportunity, my favorite volunteer experience that I also accomplished was volunteering at a local Santa Ana elementary school. I was truly able to engage with the local Costa Rican kids and even help teach them a few English words and phrases. From these conversations with the kids, I was fortunately also able to improve my Spanish language skills. It was really fascinating for me to see the cultural differences in their education system as well. I noticed that the young kids are able to play outside and run around their neighborhood more freely than they do in America. The other volunteers and I played many games with the kids and split up into groups and played soccer against each other, which was definitely a favorite activity for all of us. I feel that the teachers and the kids really appreciated our service to them. However, I was the one who felt more honored to be there. Just having the opportunity to be there in their country and help the kids stay educated and stay in a trouble-free environment really makes all the difference to me. I have a huge amount of respect for the kids because I acknowledged how respectful and eager they were to get to know us volunteers as well. It's an experience that I will never forget.

Group photo after sessions of soccer matches

The volunteers playing a clapping game with the kids

The Costa Rican kids and I getting ready for our daily activities

The kids getting engaged in the day's discussion

Volunteers and students actively conversing with one another at the school

Also during my time in Costa Rica, I was able to explore the unique cultures of the different cities within the country. I was able to make a trip down to San José and explore the busy streets of the country's capital. The other volunteers and I also traveled and hiked to capture the breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano, which is a famous Stratovolcano in the La Fortuna region. Along with this experience, I was able to view the serene La Fortuna Waterfall. It was really peaceful to see everyone swimming calmly in the water. A few more of our side excursions included visits to Manuel Antonio National Park to appreciate the beautiful beaches and the many monkeys that I saw swinging in the vines. Some of our last big activities that we included were being able to witness a professional soccer match and even going zip-lining for the first time in Monteverde. This experience was truly terrifying because this certain zip-lining area is one of the biggest and highest in the world, so you're really far up in the air over the forest. All in all though, it was so worth it to me because I can now say that I lived to tell the tale of surviving that scary, yet satisfying adventure.

Group photo at the end of our hike to the Arenal Volcano

Excited for the zip-lining adventure of a lifetime

Group photo at the soccer match

Captured a shot of this graceful bird quietly sitting in the tree

Monkey in Manuel Antonio

Captured a shot of this exquisite church in the capital city of San José

Backpacking towards the Arenal Volcano

Bats lined up on the trees

Arenal Volcano

Radiant La Fortuna Waterfall sight

Quick stop for a nice dip of water with shining sights

Arenal Volcano excursion group photo

Alligator spotted

Arenal Volcano sign we came across on our hike

Hummingbird in action

La Fortuna Waterfall shot

The scenic waters near the waterfall

One of the many roaming iguanas in Costa Rica

Soccer match with a captivating sunset

Manuel Antonio National Park beach

Monkey climbing through the trees during our boat tour

After looking back on my time in Costa Rica, I have to say that not only did I push past my boundaries, but I made a lifetime of memories with wonderful people that I met along the way. I was able to make some new friends and really open myself up to others that I bonded with. I know that anyone out there who has any desire at all to volunteer abroad really should go for it! The experience really is worth overcoming that fear. No matter if the experience is positive or negative, you can take it all in as a learning experience in the end. Taking part in an international volunteer service will help you grow professionally and emotionally as a person. My positive experiences that I've had have really transformed me into becoming an advocate for international studies and volunteering abroad. Volunteering and venturing in Costa Rica will truly open your eyes to a rewarding adventure. Thank you very much, and with this said, ¡Hasta luego!

Costa Rican cultural performance was truly a performance to remember