Aero: Alysa Halsey – Costa Rica 2016 – Epilogue

Creative Commons Image via The LEAF Project

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Making the decision to travel to Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I have made so far. Looking back, I am very content with my experience and what little expectations I had before we left, were definitely exceeded. I could not have asked for a better host family to spend my time with or new friends to make new memories with. Even though I may not have known the other students on the trip very well at first, we got to know each other and now have a bond that will forever bind us together.

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Alysa Halsey

Throughout the entire trip, I had a lot of free time to think about my personal and family life to decide whether or not I was happy. I had a lot on my mind over the two weeks so if I didn’t need to focus or pay attention to anything important, I didn’t. I found myself daydreaming while the professors spoke to us as a group, or needing to walk away and clear my head for a moment. Even though that may not have been ideal, it is what it is, and I am going to use that experience to better myself as an individual, a student, and a professional. This trip allowed me to learn a lot about the history of the two countries and about myself that I’m not sure I would have learned otherwise any time soon.

If I could sum this whole trip into a couple of words, I would call it mind blowing. I have altered the way I process things and to rethink my words before I start to complain about something so minor and insignificant. Being home now, I really don’t care if the house is a little dirty; at least we have a roof over our heads. It is easy to take things for granted, so I am working on appreciating the little things in life way more than I used to. Recognizing how lucky I really am makes me want to work even harder to help others reach their own personal goals and live the life they want to live.

I hope sometime in the future I am able to go back and visit my host family again, but until then I will cherish the memories and laughs we have already made. The people I met in Costa Rica and Nicaragua have made an impact on my heart and I hope that I did the same for them.

Alysa Halsey
LEAF Contributor
ML@FLCC: Costa Rica 2016

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