The environment in which my Spanish so easily excelled reflects Costa Rican culture to a T. Almost everyone in CR is friendly and is looking out for your best interest. I noticed this immediately upon arriving, despite my flight having been delayed by several hours, Meaw and two other volunteers patiently waited for my arrival ‘I felt welcomed immediately!! Costa Rican culture really centers itself around family, friends, and relationships’ unity in general. I was able to get to know one of the teachers at my project site really well. The teacher was incredibly sweet and offered my partner and me a ride back to the dorm every day. She also helped us control the students while teaching and with her little knowledge of English, she often acted as our Spanish dictionary!
In addition to having an amazing home stay experience and project, I was also able to travel every weekend. I traveled with several other volunteers, a total of ten for one trip, and I also traveled with my just partner. Traveling with other volunteers was amazing and a great opportunity to get to know others better, especially because I didn’t live in the dorm; and of course traveling with just my partner was a great way to have a completely relaxing and low key weekend.
This past month has been filled with amazing experiences and it has been, hands down, the most fun, enriching, and amazing time I’ve had in my life!!!
One can only read and learn so much from text, it’s the experience that provides the life-changing, pivotal point in one’s life. If I could go back a month in time and restart, I would!!! Would I do things differently? Definitely! I’ve learned so much about myself and about Costa Rica that it’d be impossible to do otherwise. Though considering that I can’t go back in time, I’ll just look forward to the next time I volunteer through uVolunteer!! I can’t wait for all the new and exciting things I’ll learn on my next trip!!!
My Trip Gallery
