My first night in Costa Rica was an overwhelming
experience. Everything moved so fast and my Tico family spoke even faster. When
my host mom was explaining the household operations, all I could do was smile
and say “si, si, si.” My ears and mind couldn’t fully comprehend what was being
said. I just wanted to go to sleep and try again tomorrow.
¡Pura Vida! My name is Miracle Johnson and I am a senior
biology major on a pre-medicine track. My study abroad experience was in Costa Rica
with The School of Health and Human Sciences (HSS). The program was three weeks
of Spanish classes and service-learning opportunities. While in Costa Rica, I
attended CPI Spanish Immersion School in three different areas: Heredia,
Monteverde, and Flamingo. Each site provided me the opportunity to improve my
Spanish speaking skills and learn more about Tico culture. I would like to note
some key experiences from my time in Costa Rica.
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| Baby Pablo y yo at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Rich land is an understatement when describing the biodiversity of Costa Rica. |
Language
Spanish language in Costa Rica was taught differently
from my experiences in the US. The “tu” form wasn’t taught in the Spanish
language classes at CPI. Instead we addressed everyone, young or old, in the
formal “usted” form. This was different because throughout all my years of
Spanish learning much emphasis was placed upon the different conjugation forms.
Nonetheless, learning only four conjugation forms made it easier for me to
conjugate verbs. I didn’t have to overthink if I was conjugating a verb
correctly to fit who I was referring to.
¡Pura Vida!
It did take me a while to get comfortable with my first
host family; however, I felt more a part of the family as the days went by. I
consider living with a host family a plus to studying abroad in Costa Rica.
Living with three different Tico families taught me various connotations of
Pura Vida. Pura Vida isn’t just a greeting Ticos use; it is a way of living! My
time with my host families lead me to experience the simplicity behind “Pura
Vida”. I would volunteer, go to classes, and return to enjoy downtime with my
host families. The common activities included playing with the kids and
watching fútbol or movies.
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| Pura Vida can have different meanings. My bungee jumping experience taught me, Pura Vida, means combating fears, taking risks, and just living. |
Service in La Carpio
La Carpio is one of the “slums” in Costa Rica. It is a
rural area with a large Nicaraguan population. My study abroad group
volunteered with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation to renovate a mother’s
bathroom. My service-learning experience in La Carpio showed me the unpleasant
realities of living in Costa Rica. Nevertheless, the people of La Carpio make
the best of their living situations. There was a presentation by a group of
mothers which expressed their love for their children. There were handcrafts
and shops along the street which expressed their creativity, drive, and love
for their community. Serving in La Carpio gave me a profound understanding of
living in Costa Rica that I would not have grasped from readings.
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| My study abroad group smiling after a day's work in the sun. |
Serving at Life Monteverde
Volunteering at Life Monteverde was another experience I
enjoyed. The people of Life Monteverde were so passionate about protecting and
utilizing the land. I always just been one to appreciate those at Farmer’s
Markets who take the time to provide communities with natural produce and
meats. Volunteering to plant at the farm provided a peaceful feeling. I enjoyed
tending to the land for the moment because I felt a part of nature’s process of
food production. I love the point the owner made as well. We are not educated
on sustainability and it is a challenge to reverse habits of simply going to
grocery stores to obtain goods.
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| Wooden mottos made by students from GLC, NMSU, and MSU on sustainability. |
Although three weeks seems like a short period of time
abroad, we experienced a lot throughout Costa Rica. Here is a video made by my
tour guide, Marta Rodriguez. The video perfectly encapsulates the study abroad
experience with HSS Costa Rica Study Abroad Program.
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