Anna
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. Right now, I’ll be discussing a few of my foremost takeaways, recommendation for different college students going overseas, and different reflections.
Key Takeaways
- Studying occurs each inside and out of doors of the classroom. That is why I made a decision to check 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 outdoors of the classroom. Doing service-learning (= neighborhood 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 neighborhood. My Spanish schooling had ready me when it comes to grammar, studying, and writing, so I didn’t come to Costa Rica to focus solely on teachers. I knew that I would actually profit from full immersion gained by way of SL. Volunteering on the music heart performed a basic function in my private {and professional} development.
- Costa Rican tradition is nuanced and displays some points of U.S. tradition. At a floor degree, I noticed what a vacationer may: many Costa Ricans are type and accommodating. It’s frequent to smile and alternate small discuss whereas out and about – even with individuals 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 setting. 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 relating to time; they take their time, are affected person, and undertake a slower-paced life-style. After I mentioned this matter 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 typically felt stressed when nothing was scheduled, and have become impatient when issues weren’t occurring “on-time”. Nevertheless, I progressively embraced “tico time” and realized to be extra affected person with others.
- One other commentary is Costa Ricans’ fascination with the U.S. Strolling across the metropolis, you’ll see retailers known as “Ropa Americana”, that are second-hand shops promoting “American Clothes”. Additionally, once I first arrived in Costa Rica, I observed that many chain firms – Starbucks, Subway, malls with Nike and American Eagle, had been in all places. It appeared that sides 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 focused on finding out overseas
Think about your priorities and belief your self. Earlier than finding out overseas, you’ll most likely have many questions on the place to check, what to check, learn how to finance your journey, and many others. The planning and logistical points might be anxious and overwhelming, and you could not know the place to start out. I like to recommend contemplating your priorities for finding out overseas. Do you need to fulfill your GURs or main necessities? Is there a rustic that’s in your journey bucket-list? Do you need to intern, volunteer, or do service-learning? Make an inventory of your foremost objectives, and what you hope to get out of your research overseas expertise. Creating an inventory of objectives may help you resolve on a program. And should you’re indecisive (like me), remembering the precise causes you need to research/intern/volunteer overseas will function a compass and assist information you. It’s OK to hearken to the recommendation of others, however in the end, it’s your expertise overseas and trusting your self – all through all the course of – is essential.
Different ideas…
In hindsight, one thing I may need achieved in another way is stayed longer! I went to Costa Rica throughout winter quarter (early January by way of mid-March), and whereas this was 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 depart figuring out that my buddies had been persevering with their research overseas packages, whereas mine had ended. Since I’m already in my fourth yr at WWU, I shouldn’t have time to check overseas once more. Nevertheless, finding out overseas has ignited a ardour for worldwide journey; I’m open to the thought of interning, volunteering, and/or pursuing a world profession sooner or later. I plan to pay it ahead by persevering with to volunteer within the Bellingham and Whatcom neighborhood.
Navigating Feelings & Id 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 burdened with getting 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 little thing in between. For the primary couple of weeks, it was laborious for me to attempt 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 Fitness center 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. Making an attempt new issues and preserving an open thoughts had been core points of finding out overseas.
At instances, 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 habits. Additionally, I felt self-conscious about my American accent when conversing with Costa Ricans. Nevertheless, I pushed myself to speak as a lot as doable, even when I felt anxious. I rehearsed traces in my head, and wrote down phrases or phrases I supposed to make use of. When Costa Ricans observed that my buddies and I had been U.S. vacationers, they often switched to talking in English, and used the phrase “americanos/as” to confer 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 properly, not simply individuals from the U.S. Nevertheless, not often did I hear the phrase “estadounidense” (an individual from the US), which is how some Spanish-speakers confer 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 angle towards the U.S., and the sturdy 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 prevented going out at evening. I attempted to not make eye contact with individuals of the other intercourse when strolling down the sidewalk, since I used to be informed that any pleasant interplay could be misinterpreted as one thing extra. Additionally, whereas Costa Rica is usually LGBT+ pleasant, many individuals nonetheless imagine 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 identification. 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 suppleness. Though I skilled some cultural shock, I realized that having an open-mind is what lets you adapt to the brand new setting.
To conclude, my research overseas and service-learning expertise was memorable, thrilling, and significant. I achieved my objectives of enhancing my Spanish proficiency, studying about Costa Rican tradition and traditions, and fascinating with the local people. Most significantly to me, I constructed significant relationships with friends, professors, advisors, and my host household. Whereas not on daily basis 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 finding out overseas, or is at the moment finding out 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” once 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!
