Hello Readers,
I imagined that my earlier publish could be the ultimate one for my weblog, however it seems that I’ve a post-program reflection to finish. To contextualize, I’ve been collaborating in WWU’s Journey Writing Program by responding to the writing prompts at every stage of my program. At the moment, I’ll be discussing a few of my predominant takeaways, recommendation for different college students going overseas, and different reflections.
Key Takeaways
- Studying occurs each inside and out of doors of the classroom. This is the reason I made a decision to review overseas and do service-learning (SL)! I sought to complete my final Spanish elective and fulfilled this requirement at my host college. Additionally, I used to be excited to achieve hands-on expertise exterior of the classroom. Doing service-learning (= group service + reflective assignments) was an eye-opening expertise, as a result of it allowed me to apply my Spanish with native audio system and help inside the group. My Spanish schooling had ready me by way of grammar, studying, and writing, so I didn’t come to Costa Rica to focus solely on teachers. I knew that I would really profit from full immersion gained by way of SL. Volunteering on the music middle performed a basic position in my private {and professional} progress.
- Costa Rican tradition is nuanced and displays some elements of U.S. tradition. At a floor degree, I noticed what a vacationer would possibly: many Costa Ricans are type and accommodating. It’s frequent to smile and change small speak whereas out and about – even with folks you don’t know. Additionally, Costa Rica is understood for its biodiversity and ecological sustainability. Persons are conscious of local weather points and take actionable measures to guard the surroundings. After residing within the capital, San José, and touring to 5 of the seven provinces, I started to note the nuances and complexities of the tradition.
For instance, Costa Ricans (“ticos”) are extra versatile with regards to time; they take their time, are affected person, and undertake a slower-paced life-style. After I mentioned this subject with my host mother, who’s lived in each the U.S. and Costa Rica, she felt that life is extra fast-paced and productivity-driven within the U.S. Whereas overseas in Costa Rica, I usually felt stressed when nothing was scheduled, and have become impatient when issues weren’t taking place “on-time”. Nonetheless, I progressively embraced “tico time” and realized to be extra affected person with others.
- One other remark is Costa Ricans’ fascination with the U.S. Strolling across the metropolis, you’ll see outlets referred to as “Ropa Americana”, that are second-hand shops promoting “American Clothes”. Additionally, once I first arrived in Costa Rica, I seen that many chain corporations – Starbucks, Subway, malls with Nike and American Eagle, had been all over the place. It appeared that aspects of U.S. tradition (capitalism) had been unescapable in Costa Rica. Adapting to social and cultural norms was an integral a part of my time overseas.
Recommendation for these enthusiastic about learning overseas
Think about your priorities and belief your self. Earlier than learning overseas, you’ll most likely have many questions on the place to review, what to review, tips on how to finance your journey, and many others. The planning and logistical elements will be demanding and overwhelming, and you could not know the place to begin. I like to recommend contemplating your priorities for learning overseas. Do you wish to fulfill your GURs or main necessities? Is there a rustic that’s in your journey bucket-list? Do you wish to intern, volunteer, or do service-learning? Make an inventory of your predominant objectives, and what you hope to get out of your research overseas expertise. Creating an inventory of objectives may also help you resolve on a program. And when you’re indecisive (like me), remembering the precise causes you wish to research/intern/volunteer overseas will function a compass and assist information you. It’s OK to hearken to the recommendation of others, however finally, it’s your expertise overseas and trusting your self – all through the whole course of – is essential.
Different ideas…
In hindsight, one thing I may need accomplished otherwise is stayed longer! I went to Costa Rica throughout winter quarter (early January by way of mid-March), and whereas this was a superb period of time, I’d have ideally traveled for the entire semester. In my research overseas program, there have been college students from different universities that use the semester system. After I departed Costa Rica, the opposite college students nonetheless had a number of weeks left of their program. It was troublesome to go away realizing that my pals had been persevering with their research overseas packages, whereas mine had ended. Since I’m already in my fourth yr at WWU, I would not have time to review overseas once more. Nonetheless, learning overseas has ignited a ardour for worldwide journey; I’m open to the thought of interning, volunteering, and/or pursuing a global profession sooner or later. I plan to pay it ahead by persevering with to volunteer within the Bellingham and Whatcom group.
Navigating Feelings & Identification Overseas
Whereas in Costa Rica, I skilled a whirlwind of feelings, which is I acknowledge is regular. Within the months main as much as departure, I used to be frantic and careworn with making ready for my journey. After I lastly arrived, I started to expertise the emotional curler coaster of research overseas. There have been excessive factors, low factors, and every thing in between. For the primary couple of weeks, it was arduous for me to strive new issues, and I discovered myself saying “no” to some uncommon alternatives. However I progressively started rising from my shell, and saying “sure” to alternatives. For instance, I began lifting at Gymnasium ProSalud, and met with a private coach. This helped with my psychological and bodily well being, and allowed me to apply my Spanish with fellow gym-goers. Attempting new issues and retaining an open thoughts had been core elements of learning overseas.
At occasions, I felt like misplaced as a customer from the U.S. I used to be hyper-aware of how others perceived me, together with my look and conduct. Additionally, I felt self-conscious about my American accent when conversing with Costa Ricans. Nonetheless, I pushed myself to speak as a lot as attainable, even when I felt anxious. I rehearsed strains in my head, and wrote down phrases or phrases I meant to make use of. When Costa Ricans seen that my pals and I had been U.S. vacationers, they generally switched to talking in English, and used the phrase “americanos/as” to discuss with us. This stunned me, as a result of all through my schooling, I’ve been taught that utilizing the phrase “americanos” is seen as U.S.-centric and offensive, as a result of Latin Individuals are Individuals, as nicely, not simply folks from the U.S. Nonetheless, not often did I hear the phrase “estadounidense” (an individual from the US), which is how some Spanish-speakers discuss with these from the U.S. I wasn’t precisely positive why Costa Ricans referred to me and different U.S. guests as “americanos”. I’m questioning if maybe it has one thing to do with Costa Ricans’ constructive perspective towards the U.S., and the robust affect of U.S. tradition in Costa Rica.
Additionally, as somebody female-identifying, I needed to adapt to social norms relating to gender. For instance, I dressed extra conservatively and averted going out at night time. I attempted to not make eye contact with folks of the other intercourse when strolling down the sidewalk, since I used to be advised that any pleasant interplay may be misinterpreted as one thing extra. Additionally, whereas Costa Rica is generally LGBT+ pleasant, many individuals nonetheless consider within the classification of gender binary. A few of my friends who recognized as queer felt misgendered when others used incorrect pronouns or assumed their gender id. The gender impartial pronoun in Spanish is “elle” (they/them), however I didn’t hear it getting used. These circumstances, whereas not at all times comfy, had been issues that we needed to settle for with persistence and adaptability. Though I skilled some cultural shock, I realized that having an open-mind is what lets you adapt to the brand new surroundings.
To conclude, my research overseas and service-learning expertise was memorable, thrilling, and significant. I achieved my objectives of bettering my Spanish proficiency, studying about Costa Rican tradition and traditions, and fascinating with the area people. Most significantly to me, I constructed significant relationships with friends, professors, advisors, and my host household. Whereas not day-after-day was good (life isn’t!), and there have been quite a few challenges, I survived the low moments and got here again extra resilient. To anybody who’s pondering of learning overseas, or is at present learning overseas, my piece of recommendation is to say “sure” to alternatives that excite you or push you in a great way. Additionally, it’s okay to say “no” if you’re feeling overwhelmed or overworked; apply following your instinct when confronted with a troublesome alternative or a problem. You’ve obtained this! ¡Buen viaje!
