Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – My Expectations
Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – My Expectations
Aero: Katie Heubusch – Costa Rica 2014 – My Expectations
Katie Heubusch
When I think of Costa Rica, I immediately think of diverse ecosystems, exotic animals, kind people, and a peaceful nation. When I heard about the Costa Rica Study Abroad Program, the first thing on my mind was excitement, but fear. I have wanted to travel so badly for years. It is my biggest goal in life to travel the world, but as a freshman that hasn’t taken a Spanish class since my sophomore year in high school, I had my doubts. After connecting with people going on the trip, and the professors in control, I immediately felt at ease. Realizing all of the opportunities being offered, it was so hard to let my doubts take over my desire.
I am definitely nervous about being in a nation in which English is not the first language, but I am very excited to learn and refresh what I know about Spanish. I believe the classes that I will take will help me communicate with people who speak Spanish primarily, as well as make my way through the cities we explore in Costa Rica. I hope the people of Costa Rica, especially my host family, will be able to at least grasp some of my English and little knowledge of Spanish. Compared to the United States I feel that Costa Rica will have an environment with less hostility. I feel as if the culture will definitely be different, as it is a nation that is far more peaceful than the United States. I am thrilled to be living with Costa Ricans so I will be fully introduced to the culture. Though it may be awkward at first living among people so foreign to me, things will become more comfortable, and I will not feel so out of place.
Costa Rica also seems to be different in system of values. The United States is in the fast lane, and is always looking to see what is next, whereas Costa Ricans appreciate what they have, and understand the beauty of the natural world. However, there are of course similarities. Costa Rica is a well developed nation with stores similar to those in the U.S, and has all the essentials that Americans have come to expect to have access to always. I expect that Costa Rica will be different from the United States, as far as the primary language being spoken and the values of the Costa Rican culture compared to the United States.
Overall, I am most excited about being able to be immersed in a new culture, and be surrounded by several different coexisting ecosystems. I can’t wait to see plantations, volcanoes, forests, beaches, local merchants, and people. I am sure that Costa Rica will be mind-blowingly gorgeous. Though I have my worries, and it will be uncomfortable at times, I am getting more prepared and excited by the minute to get on the plane.
– Katie Heubusch
The LEAF Project
www.leaflanguages.org
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike
