Aero: Alyssa Davis – Costa Rica 2013 – Over The Edge
Aero: Alyssa Davis – Costa Rica 2013 – Over The Edge
Aero: Alyssa Davis – Costa Rica 2013 – Over The Edge
Alyssa Davis
As a 23 year old Therapeutic Massage major studying at Finger Lakes Community College, my love for the Spanish language, culture, and lifestyle seems to be founded purely in passion for people. There is no language requirement in my area of study. I continue to study Spanish because bilingualism will not only augment greater career opportunities, but the skill also widens the possibility of new interpersonal communication while enhancing the depth of existing relationships.
I was first introduced to the Spanish-speaking culture in elementary school, where I lived amongst a large Hispanic populace in Harrisonburg, Virginia. My two closest friends were bilingual. They both came from families who spoke fluent Spanish and little to no English at home. I remember having dinner at their houses and feeling uncomfortable and awkward because I wasn’t able to communicate or understand the simplest subjects. I began my studies of the language in the seventh grade, continuing to take three years of Spanish courses throughout high school. For many years I was on the verge of being immersed in the culture. I was a ‘dama’ in my best friend’s Quinceñera. I remember being so proud of my ability to learn the dances and different customs associated with the tradition. I always felt so enriched being a part of such a close-knit community, and I longed to deepen my understanding.
When I moved back to Upstate New York, a population largely devoid of ethnic variance, I continued to take language courses as a sort of homage to my past experiences. Again, I found myself a close friend who is of Hispanic descent, bilingual, and is now raising a child to know both Spanish and English. The language has simply been a recurring factor in my personal growth.
In the spring of 2012 I was introduced to the prospect of studying abroad in Costa Rica. At the time I had neither money nor need to study abroad. I assumed for several months that I wouldn’t be able to afford the trip and that there must be deserving folks out there who would benefit more than I from international travel. As I sat in my SPN 102 class wondering what purpose a massage major has studying Spanish, I slowly began to realize how great my passion for the language had become. It took some convincing, research, and a little help from family and friends, but I found out that studying abroad is perhaps the easiest and most affordable way to get out of the country and experience life in another culture.
I decided to take this trip because of the countless opportunities it offers. Not only is adventure calling to my very essence, but logically this trip is a great investment! The cost efficiency of the trip alone is reason enough to convince some to go. The fact that I will be traveling with a group of students who, much like me, have had little experience in international travel is comforting. Even more so, we will be traveling and staying with others who know Costa Rica well and have already planned a plethora of excursions for the duration of the trip. Most importantly, I will learn more in these few short weeks of full immersion than I have learned through years of study. Massage is a great way to help people, but language is indeed the finest route to understanding a society.
– Alyssa Davis
The LEAF Project
www.leaflanguages.org
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