Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – Family Life
Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – Family Life
Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – Family Life
Katie Heubusch
Living with a host family was the best, and most important part of this trip for me. Living with my host father Marco, host mother Maria Marta, and host brother Marco was the most enjoyable and educational piece to this crazy puzzle. This experience allowed me to be completely existent in Costa Rican culture. It forced me to listen, practice, and understand Spanish. It also showed me how the day-to-day life is for a Costa Rican.
Meeting them at first was really awkward, but that all flushed away in a matter of seconds. Maria Marta’s mother Dona Flora grabbed me in a hug and practically pushed me into the arms of Maria Marta. She spoke Spanish, which was fantastic, and she seemed eager to be living with daughters because she only has sons. I had no idea how strong our connections would be by the end of the trip. The first few days of course were a bit of an adjustment. My host father only spoke Spanish so it was awkward whenever he laughed at my misunderstanding or mispronunciation. Of course, it was always in good teasing fun.
Costa Rica 2014 Photo Gallery
Every morning, I was greeted by Maria Marta serving a delicious breakfast. She spoke to my roommate Ashley and me while eating breakfast as if she had known us for ages. Every day the awkward levels lowered. I was almost beginning to look at her as if she was my mother. I was comfortable to do my own laundry, wash the dishes, and sit with my host family. I enjoyed time with my host-brother. His English was impeccable, and it turned out we had a lot in common! We were both musicians, which proved that music was a universal language, and we bonded over music and games. My biggest regret was not being able to converse more with my host father. He is a very kind and gentle man.
I couldn’t help but shed some tears when saying goodbye to my new family, and it gave me the strongest desire to run back into their arms as soon as the plane left the terminal.
Learn More: Study abroad with Modern Languages @ FLCC: Costa Rica!
– Katie Heubusch
The LEAF Project
www.leaflanguages.org
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