Week Sixteen in Costa Rica
My time in Costa Rica has come to an end. I have had endless amounts of fun and excitement, as well as many opportunities to learn and grow and that's exactly what I've done. I've grown in unimaginable ways and learned more than I ever thought. Although I have spent a lot of time mulling over the natural beauty of the landscapes of this country, I have realized as I begin reflecting on my trip that it has been the people that have really made the biggest impact on my experience and shaped who I have become.
The people that I've met in Costa Rica- from the constant switch of students at my Spanish school and volunteers at the La Bella Tica farm, to my teachers (both my actual ones teaching Spanish at Conversa and those who taught me more than they'll ever know about Costa Rica and its values); from the forever friends I've made with the other students from Michigan State University and the ticos themselves.
This host family really made an impact on my experience. They are all incredibly hard workers who don't expect anything in return- they just do the work to support their family and enjoy their life. I'll miss when Ersi would sit down at the dining room table in the volunteer house just to chat about anything and everything while I did my homework. I'll miss their smiles and kindness that I witnessed every day during the two months I was there.
Thank you to all of my teachers at Conversa, as well as the other staff (Don David, Andy, Irene, Gata, José, Carlos, Laura, and many more) who really made me fall in love with Spanish. My experience at Conversa has really fueled my passion to continue studying and speaking this beautiful language and hopefully, I'll be fluent one day.
The research and work that America and I completed with the community of San Luis really changed how I will look at my academic career in the future. I've learned that without a doubt that this is what I want to focus on- community-based work. It is work with the community, rather than at them, that will really make a difference in the changes they are trying to make.
Although it was a different experience from the rest of our group, who lived with host families for the entire four months, America and I lived with other volunteers from around the world in San Luis. It was so nice to be able to meet so many funny and kind people. Thanks for the laughs, smiles, and many trips to Orchid.
Lastly, I want to thank my host family in Santa Ana. You dealt with me from the very beginning, when I stumbled over my Spanish (which I still do) and through our many trips back and forth from San Luis to Santa Ana. You were my rock in this adventure; it was so nice knowing I could (and can, in the future) always come back to Santa Ana and you'd be waiting there.
Stay Beautiful,
Sadie
The people that I've met in Costa Rica- from the constant switch of students at my Spanish school and volunteers at the La Bella Tica farm, to my teachers (both my actual ones teaching Spanish at Conversa and those who taught me more than they'll ever know about Costa Rica and its values); from the forever friends I've made with the other students from Michigan State University and the ticos themselves.
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| Ramón, who works in the soda next door to the community center. He is a marvelous, funny, outgoing guy. His wife, Lupe, is an incredible woman who also gave us the most wonderful smoothies. |
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| My host family in San Luis, Monteverde. Buddy (the dog), Gloriana, myself, Ersi, Oldemar, and Melanie |
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| Marysella, a teacher at Conversa and myself on our last day at the school. We had a celebration with games, coffee, and empanadas! |
The research and work that America and I completed with the community of San Luis really changed how I will look at my academic career in the future. I've learned that without a doubt that this is what I want to focus on- community-based work. It is work with the community, rather than at them, that will really make a difference in the changes they are trying to make.
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| America and I's final presentation to the community about the participatory research we completed in collaboration with the 'rural community tourism program' regarding their marketing. |
Although it was a different experience from the rest of our group, who lived with host families for the entire four months, America and I lived with other volunteers from around the world in San Luis. It was so nice to be able to meet so many funny and kind people. Thanks for the laughs, smiles, and many trips to Orchid.
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| A group of volunteers from La Bella Tica, America, and I spending an afternoon with smoothies, coffee, and cheese- cake at the Orchid Coffee Shop in Santa Elena. |
Lastly, I want to thank my host family in Santa Ana. You dealt with me from the very beginning, when I stumbled over my Spanish (which I still do) and through our many trips back and forth from San Luis to Santa Ana. You were my rock in this adventure; it was so nice knowing I could (and can, in the future) always come back to Santa Ana and you'd be waiting there.
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My family in Santa Ana, with my host mom Dilcia and her
daughter, Allison.
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I can't give a big enough "thank you" to the people who made this study abroad so memorable for me. It was life-changing and I plan on continuing to change and grow as I start to "reintegrate" back home; it will be a life-changing experience for quite a while to come, even though I've now left Costa Rica and to me, that's the most wonderful and incredible part. ¡Hasta pronto, Costa Rica!
Sadie
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| The whole group at the place where it all started: Conversa. America Yahya, Theda Domer, Daz'Janic Johnson, Jacob Arens, Sarah Sparkman, myself, and Prof. Vincent Delgado |
I'm in awe. I love this piece. It brought me to happy-tears. Awesome work, Sadie. <3
ReplyDeleteI love looking back on it because it makes me so happy :) Still forever grateful that this adventure brought me to you!! <3
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