Life in Costa Rica @kamrynhenderson - Tumblr Blog

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This week I have been participating in a community service project with the rest of the exchange students in my school, as well as a few other students from Liceo Miguel Arayas Venegas. We had to paint trash cans for the school that represent our countries, so of course I chose the Statue of Liberty, and the quote, “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave."

Tonight, I’m reminiscing on my time spent in Costa Rica and am realizing how quickly six weeks of my life can pass me by. Here I am, only 12 days before I come home, but I still remember my first few days like they were yesterday.

I remember how happy I was when I first stepped out of the airport, and all I could think to myself was, “Wow, this is really happening.” This trip is something that I've wanted for so long, and now that it’s finally one of my “dreams come true”, I’m filled with utter joy.

My first days in Costa Rica were spent in an orientation with all of the other AFS students from around the world that came on the same summer program as me. I was still in my comfort zone at that point because I was with my fellow Americans (pictured above), and always had someone around who could understand me. I loved to be with my new friends, but the first two days I was unbelievably excited to meet my new family.

When I arrived in my town and met my family, the whole game changed. The first moments spent with my host family were interesting to say the least. I remember the first thing my mama said to me that I couldn't understand, and I thought to myself, “Oh my gosh, what have you gotten yourself into now?” Despite the huge language barrier, I never felt too uncomfortable with my family. I realize how far I've come with both the language and the culture since then.

Coming home is definitely going to be bitter sweet. I miss my family, friends, and the finer things in life, like: Chipotle, Chick-fil-a, Oreos, and sweet tea... but it will be hard to leave this new place that I consider home, and these new people that I consider family. I've had some great experiences with my host family as well as the other exchange students. In one short summer, I've gained family and friends from many different countries and have collected a world of knowledge.

The first sunset I saw in Costa Rica.. it's hard not to love this place.

Highlight of today... the monos at lunch! (monkeys)

Punta Leona

You know somebody is a tourist and not a Tico when they beep at you for walking in the middle of the road instead of swerving around you

Day one of this week's adventure in La Fortuna

One Week in Costa

I've learned a lot of things so far while in Costa Rica, but I think that the most important thing I've learned is how to connect with people even though our spoken languages differ. The first moments spent with my new family were a bit strange because I felt bad that I couldn't understand or communicate with them. As the days go by, I realize how much more natural things become. I understand and learn more and more every day. My family and I have bonded a lot and it's fun to joke around now. This experience has exceeded my expectations in so many ways and 6 weeks seems way too short. I miss my family back home but I love my family here now too.

First Costa Rican lunch

Pre-Departure Thoughts

Many of my friends and family keep asking me if I’m scared to leave. If I’m being honest, I am scared. Scratch that. Terrified. I mean, I’m leaving my family, country, and even my native language... what 16 year old wouldn't be? However, I don’t feel the kind of fear that holds you back, but instead the kind that drives you into the future with an ever-so curious mind. The whole idea of this trip didn't become reality to me until these last few weeks. Beforehand, the days would drag on and it seemed like the time for me to leave would never come. I had no knowledge of any detail about my trip so imagining every possible scenario consumed any spare time that I had to myself. Everything started to change when I realized that these were the last few times this summer that I would see my favorite people. Trying to find time to spend with all of my friends and family has made the days go by ridiculously fast. I was starting to get a knot in my stomach at the thought of it, but one thing has stuck with me throughout this whole process. The one piece of advice that everybody has given me is to embrace every moment that I have in Costa Rica and not to spend the whole summer feeling homesick and sorry for myself. It didn't take me long to realize that everything that I’ll be missing will still be here when I come home, and soon enough I’ll be missing everything that I had back in Costa Rica. Getting in contact with my host family has brought me a lot of comfort and I already feel like part of the family, despite the fact that we speak two different languages. Here I am, using my one year of high school Spanish knowledge and Google translate to communicate with my family. It’s interesting to say the least, especially considering the fact that I get so used to looking at Spanish that whenever I go back to reading English it looks odd to me. I can only imagine that it will get worse when I’m surrounded by Spanish 24/7, and I can honestly say I’m okay with that. So if you’re wondering if I’m scared, the answer is yes.. but if you’re wondering if I’m thrilled, the answer is even more so.

#foreign travel #study abroad #costa rica

deeplifequotes

Traveling is the best education. You see the world through another lens. You realize your homeland isn’t the only reality, there’s many.

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