Tues. Jan. 9, 2024 — Today was my second day of class and my fourth day of being in Costa Rica! Everything is very new and I’m liking San José so far. My favorite aspects about San José are the historical sites, the weather, and the food options.
There are many sites to visit, including El Teatro Nacional (The National Theater – see photo below), which is an elegant, revered building that hosts plays, classical concerts, dance, and other major events. It was built in 1897, and architecturally reflects the lavish, neoclassical style of the 19th century. On my tour, we didn’t stay for long and saw only the lobby (see photo of statue below). I hope to return!
Also, the weather has been wonderful, since Costa Rica is located near the equator and is experiencing summer. It’s been a relief to escape the wind, rain and cold of Bellingham, and soak up the sun in Costa Rica. The humidity isn’t too bad either, as I originally thought. Temperatures and humidity may increase in coming months, though. I’m excited to develop my tan and break out my shorts! Some locals wear shorts, but it’s more common to see pants and nicer attire.
In addition, I’ve been enjoying the home cooked meals from my host mom (Mamá Tica) for breakfast and dinner. Lately, she’s made refried-bean stuffed empanadas, spinach omelettes wrapped in warm tortillas, yuca, and gallo pinto – a traditional Costa Rican dish of beans and rice. Mamá Tica is so sweet! I can’t wait to try some of the local restaurants too, and probably avoid the U.S. chains like KFC and McDonald’s. There’s a surprising amount of U.S. consumerism everywhere that I want to escape.
Everyday, I have a Spanish class from 9am-12noon at the University Veritas. This first week is just for international (study abroad) students, and next week, the local students officially start their semester with us. My Spanish class has only 7 people, and we’re squished into a tiny room on the second floor. The university is like a labyrinth with its confusing room numbers. Take this number for example: “225”. Unlike in the U.S. and other places, “225” does not mean the room is located on the second floor. The first number denotes the “zone”, the second number indicates the floor level, and the third number is the specific classroom number. On the first day of school, it took me a long time to find the classroom 229, because it was in an entirely different area than I thought. I went to the second floor and saw only classrooms in the 100-level, and had to ask someone for directions (in Spanish). Luckily, someone pointed me to a separate wing of the university, where zone 2 is situated. I’ll get the hang of it!
In terms of student life, I look forward to joining the tropical dance classes and cooking classes! They start next week. Also, University Veritas is an art and design school. Unfortunately, I cannot take more classes due to the structure of my program, but maybe there is a club I partake in. I’ve made several friends from different host universities across the U.S., so I’m building a community. I’m excited to meet local students in the coming months.
As mentioned earlier, one culture shock is how difficult it is to navigate the city. In Costa Rica, the streets are not labeled well and small signs that say “Avenue 32” for example, are plastered to the exterior walls of houses. Google Maps and Apple Maps are not very accurate, either. There have been multiple times when I’ve turned down the wrong street and headed in the wrong direction. Locals usually give directions using landmarks and the distance of how long it will take to commute from one reference point to another. My homestay is located in a neighborhood close to the university, and it took me a few days to learn the route, simply by memorizing the turns and reference points, and learning to cross the street (see earlier post for that explanation).
I did as much research as I could about the transportation in Costa Rica, and I knew before arriving that navigation might be a struggle. One can prepare and research for a trip, but first-hand experience is the best teacher. I’m trying to be patient with myself, because I’m in a new city and doing my best to adjust to these changes. It’s comforting to know that I’m well-supported by my program’s staff, as well and other students who are going through the same things. I’m lucky and grateful to be here! Tomorrow is a new day!
I’ve been studying abroad for just under eight months now and it has been both relatively normal, and a wild ride. I think what has surprised me the most was how comfortable I’ve been being here. Something about going to classes like normal has been a comforting sense of normalcy. Traveling around South Korea is still a sense of anxiety for me, but when exploring with other people, it has been very fun!! There is so much to see and visit here and even though I’ve been here for so long, I almost can’t choose where I want to go because it’s hard to decide.
My two major trips were months apart and were rather different but were both amazing in their own ways. The first was during Chuseok in September where I went to Seoul with a few friends and on a weekend in March, visiting the Boseong Tea Fields and Yulpo Beach.
The trip to Seoul was planned by my roommate and us plus two others went to Seoul together. We took a long bus from Gwangju to Seoul and dropped out things off at the guesthouse before heading back out. We walked around Myeong-dong and went to the top of Namsan Tower the first day, which was beautiful!! The cable car ride was gorgeous; looking out over the city and trees with while the sun was just starting to set made it brilliant.
This is the view that I had while in the cable car as we went up. It was crowded since they put as many people as possible into the car at one time, but it was still fun to look out the sides as we ascended.
The above photos are views of the cable car and ridgeline to Namsan Tower, Seoul from one of the many look-out points, and a room that we walked through before getting to the very top of the tower. Once up there, you can look out over the city, buy little souvenirs, or even buy and have the employees send a postcard to family or friends.
Our second day was a jampacked day of history. We first visited one of the several Hanok villages in Seoul. I can’t remember which one we specifically visited just that it was relatively close to where we were staying in Myeong-dong. It was really interesting seeing the traditional houses and reading about who lived there. You could tell what status the former resident was based on the furniture inside, but because it was Chuseok, there were activities going on in some of the buildings so we couldn’t see much. It was still fun to walk around and explore!! There was a forested area with wide pathways and the occasional seating area behind the houses which was a breath of fresh air. After being in the city for a month at the point, getting to visit a place with more plant life felt really nice. There was also a giant time capsule that won’t be opened until 2394 to celebrate “Seoul 1,000 Years.”
We also went to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of five palaces in Seoul. The complex was enormous; there was so much to see and explore. There were all kinds of walkways and gates you could go through and little corners to explore. It felt like no matter how far we walked, it just kept going. Every building was blocked off, but some were set up as they would have been when they were in use, and the opulence of them was definitely something to behold.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-see for anyone visiting Seoul!! It’s a nice place to spend a few hours just walking around and enjoying everything. Since it is the main one that tourists and Koreans visit though, one of the other palaces might be better as they are not as crowded and are therefore quieter.
Our last day was far more relaxed as we chose to visit the Lotte Aquarium inside the Lotte Mall. As someone from the US who is used to aquariums being their own separate building, visiting one inside a mall was a bit of an odd experience for me. I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly as big as it was and was repeatedly surprised as we kept on seeing more and more. There was everything from small tanks with jellies to a massive tank that was two-ish stories tall. Which, given this aquarium was inside a mall, was extremely surprising. There was even a tank with a Beluga whale!! It still baffles me months later.
We went back to Gwangju the day after this, tired but happy for having such a fun trip together. It was nice to spend time away from campus and classes, enjoying the extended weekend exploring and having fun.
The second major trip I’ve taken so far was in March to the Boseong Tea Fields and nearby Yulpo Beach. I was with my roommate, a couple people from the church she attends, and two new students. The tea fields are particularly famous for being a filming spot for a few K-dramas, and there are some signs that point out specific locations that were used. You can walk around and through the trees freely, and it smelled really nice even though we went before the trees were really blooming. Most of us decided to take the hiking trail that took us to the top and we could see the ocean from up there. It was a gorgeous view!! There is also a small waterfall on the way down which can make the rocky path a bit slippery so be a little careful if you ever visit. I fell and while I was fine, it made all of us walk more carefully until we passed the rockiest part.
There is more to see than just the tea fields though and there was plenty to explore. Some of us tried the famous green tea ice cream and all of the souvenirs were either made from green tea paper or featured green tea motifs. There were more trails that took us through different kinds of trees like the pine forest, but our favorite was the bamboo forest. It was so peaceful and quiet there.
After this, we all piled into a taxi (which was a trip with four people in the back seat!!) to go to Yulpo Beach near sunset. It was low tide when we went so there were plenty of people out even though it was chilly out being early March. There were some people who were hunting for…something in the sand. We couldn’t figure out what it was, though I assume it was clams. We spent a good while just walking around and enjoying the breeze and sunset at the beach, people-watching and digging in the sand ourselves.
It was a peaceful day despite the cold, and we enjoyed exploring our surroundings. It was a relaxing time for all of us and we loved getting out of the city to see more natural parts of the country without all of the city noise. I highly recommend visiting both of these places even if they might be a little out of the way.
I struggled greatly with how to organize my thoughts in this final post. In the end, I have decided that I will be answering some of the questions proposed in the prompts as written. I wanted to come up with something more creative, maybe some kind of timeline or something, but everything resulted in a messy string of words that seemed to do the opposite of my goal; to inform those who come after me. I’ve also included a section where I reflect on some of my travel experiences, in hopes of inspiring others to try their hand at some of the things I’ve done.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from your international experience?
I think my absolute biggest takeaway from my time abroad is that it is really important that people make efforts to educate themselves about countries and cultures that are different from theirs, as I think it can be a very eye-opening thing. Being able to escape the vacuum of your own culture and see it through a new lens really helps to make you a more well-informed and independent person, in my experience.
What advice would you pass along to other interested students considering studying abroad?
This isn’t really advice, more so just something that I wish more people knew, but studying abroad can be affordable for many people. I never would have thought I could afford to study abroad, no matter how much I wanted to, but in reality, with a bit of help from people around me (and financial aid), it was very affordable.
Is there anything you would do or plan differently based on your experience?
I wish I would’ve put myself out there a bit sooner. While I did end up meeting a great group of friends, it took me a while to adjust and move beyond the one or two people I met within my first few days. It can take a lot to put yourself out there, but I implore anyone studying abroad to make an effort to do so!
Have you considered going abroad again or researching international internships and careers?
I have wanted to teach English abroad for a long time, and spending time in Japan has made it all the clearer to me that Japan is the country I would most like to teach in. However, being able to meet people from different countries I may have never considered before has opened my eyes to some other opportunities. Namely, Taiwan. I was able to make a few Taiwanese friends, and now that I have been introduced to the wonderful culture and people of the country, I would really like to go there someday, even if it just ends up being for travel.
We have multiple identities that cross the boundaries of race, gender, sexuality, class, age, ethnicity, religion, ability, veteran status, citizenship, and more. Describe your experience exploring identity in your host community.
Japan is a country almost notorious for its rules, and its “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down” approach to individuality. However, I wouldn’t say that this reputation is necessarily true. Of course, my sample size mostly consisted of people included those specifically attending an international school, so perhaps it isn’t a good reflection of the population as a whole (I mean, I can only do so much) but I met many people at my school and throughout the country who broke the mold of traditionalism and who lived happily as truly themselves.
This may be the first time you lived abroad as a guest in another country—a country for which you may or may not have citizenship. How did it feel to be “the foreigner”?
Japan is a very tourist-heavy country, so while the population is nearly 98% ethnically Japanese, being a foreigner isn’t honestly all that uncommon. In my experience, I was often painted a scene that I would stick out in any crowd as the only foreigner, but I only found this true on occasion. Of course once you leave more touristy areas this does become increasingly more true, however, I think speaking some of the language really helps to close this perceived gap.
My best experiences
One thing that wasn’t really on my radar when I started realizing I was actually going to be able to go was one of my biggest interests. If at all possible, I would highly recommend attending a sports game in Japan, or really in any country you find yourself in. It’s a great way to immerse within the local people and share a common ground, especially when the sport you go to watch is niche in the country, in my case I caught a Tohoku Free Blades ice hockey match in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. It was entirely worth the trip, even if it was a bit out of the way of the main bullet train lines.
The other thing I really highly recommend is actually something I did on my final bit of travel in Tokyo before heading home, and that was going to a concert. I attended メメタァ･ザ･ワールド･フェスティバル 2024 (Memetaa the World Festival 2024) in Shinjuku, Tokyo which consisted of many bands I didn’t know, but also one of my absolute favorites, KALMA. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to see them live, something I may never get the chance to do again, and also got introduced to another great band in the process. I highly recommend catching a concert or a festival if there’s something you’re interested in seeing. Trust me, it will be worth it for the memories!
(Small tip about concerts in Japan; Many are picture and video free! Keep an eye out for signs PERMITTING phone usage during shows, not ones disallowing it! From what I can gather, it is pretty much the standard for it to be disallowed. Speaking from experience!)
Conclusion
Now that studying abroad exists only as something in the past for me, I can’t help but wish to return to the many great moments and great people I had met along the way. I want to sincerely thank everyone who helps the study abroad programs through Western run smoothly, it was truly a life changing experience for me and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I imagined that my previous post would be the final one for my blog, but it turns out that I have a post-program reflection to complete. To contextualize, I’ve been participating in WWU’s Travel Writing Program by responding to the writing prompts at each stage of my program. Today, I’ll be discussing some of my main takeaways, advice for other students going abroad, and other reflections.
Key Takeaways
Learning happens both inside and outside of the classroom. This is why I decided to study abroad and do service-learning (SL)! I sought to finish my last Spanish elective and fulfilled this requirement at my host university. Also, I was excited to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom. Doing service-learning (= community service + reflective assignments) was an eye-opening experience, because it allowed me to practice my Spanish with native speakers and lend a hand within the community. My Spanish education had prepared me in terms of grammar, reading, and writing, so I didn’t come to Costa Rica to focus solely on academics. I knew that I would truly benefit from complete immersion gained through SL. Volunteering at the music center played a fundamental role in my personal and professional growth.
Costa Rican culture is nuanced and reflects some aspects of U.S. culture. At a surface level, I observed what a tourist might: many Costa Ricans are kind and accommodating. It’s common to smile and exchange small talk while out and about – even with people you don’t know. Also, Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and ecological sustainability. People are aware of climate issues and take actionable measures to protect the environment. After living in the capital, San José, and traveling to five of the seven provinces, I began to notice the nuances and complexities of the culture.
For example, Costa Ricans (“ticos”) are more flexible when it comes to time; they take their time, are patient, and adopt a slower-paced lifestyle. When I discussed this topic with my host mom, who’s lived in both the U.S. and Costa Rica, she felt that life is more fast-paced and productivity-driven in the U.S. While abroad in Costa Rica, I often felt restless when nothing was scheduled, and became impatient when things weren’t happening “on-time”. However, I gradually embraced “tico time” and learned to be more patient with others.
Another observation is Costa Ricans’ fascination with the U.S. Walking around the city, you’ll see shops called “Ropa Americana”, which are second-hand stores advertising “American Clothing”. Also, when I first arrived in Costa Rica, I noticed that many chain companies – Starbucks, Subway, malls with Nike and American Eagle, were everywhere. It seemed that facets of U.S. culture (capitalism) were unescapable in Costa Rica. Adapting to social and cultural norms was an integral part of my time abroad.
Can you guess what this store is inspired by?
Advice for those interested in studying abroad
Consider your priorities and trust yourself. Before studying abroad, you’ll probably have many questions about where to study, what to study, how to finance your trip, etc. The planning and logistical aspects can be stressful and overwhelming, and you may not know where to start. I recommend considering your priorities for studying abroad. Do you want to fulfill your GURs or major requirements? Is there a country that’s on your travel bucket-list? Do you want to intern, volunteer, or do service-learning? Make a list of your main goals, and what you hope to get out of your study abroad experience. Creating a list of goals can help you decide on a program. And if you’re indecisive (like me), remembering the specific reasons you want to study/intern/volunteer abroad will serve as a compass and help guide you. It’s OK to listen to the advice of others, but ultimately, it’s your experience abroad and trusting yourself – throughout the entire process – is important.
That feeling when a butterfly lands on you, and you know you made the right decision to study abroad.
Other thoughts…
In hindsight, something I might have done differently is stayed longer! I went to Costa Rica during winter quarter (early January through mid-March), and while this was a good amount of time, I would have ideally traveled for the whole semester. In my study abroad program, there were students from other universities that use the semester system. When I departed Costa Rica, the other students still had several weeks left of their program. It was difficult to leave knowing that my friends were continuing their study abroad programs, while mine had ended. Since I’m already in my fourth year at WWU, I do not have time to study abroad again. However, studying abroad has ignited a passion for international travel; I’m open to the idea of interning, volunteering, and/or pursuing an international career in the future. I plan to pay it forward by continuing to volunteer in the Bellingham and Whatcom community.
My last walk in Parque la Paz. 3-15-2024.
Navigating Emotions & Identity Abroad
While in Costa Rica, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, which is I recognize is normal. In the months leading up to departure, I was frantic and stressed with preparing for my journey. When I finally arrived, I began to experience the emotional roller coaster of study abroad. There were high points, low points, and everything in between. For the first couple of weeks, it was hard for me to try new things, and I found myself saying “no” to some rare opportunities. But I gradually began emerging from my shell, and saying “yes” to opportunities. For example, I started lifting at Gym ProSalud, and met with a personal trainer. This helped with my mental and physical health, and allowed me to practice my Spanish with fellow gym-goers. Trying new things and keeping an open mind were core aspects of studying abroad.
Raquel, my trainer at Gym ProSalud, and I after a workout.
At times, I felt like out of place as a visitor from the U.S. I was hyper-aware of how others perceived me, including my appearance and behavior. Also, I felt self-conscious about my American accent when conversing with Costa Ricans. However, I pushed myself to communicate as much as possible, even if I felt anxious. I rehearsed lines in my head, and wrote down words or phrases I intended to use. When Costa Ricans noticed that my friends and I were U.S. tourists, they sometimes switched to speaking in English, and used the word “americanos/as” to refer to us. This surprised me, because throughout my education, I’ve been taught that using the word “americanos” is viewed as U.S.-centric and offensive, because Latin Americans are Americans, as well, not just people from the U.S. However, rarely did I hear the word “estadounidense” (a person from the United States), which is how some Spanish-speakers refer to those from the U.S. I wasn’t exactly sure why Costa Ricans referred to me and other U.S. visitors as “americanos”. I’m wondering if perhaps it has something to do with Costa Ricans’ positive attitude toward the U.S., and the strong influence of U.S. culture in Costa Rica.
Also, as someone female-identifying, I had to adapt to social norms regarding gender. For example, I dressed more conservatively and avoided going out at night. I tried not to make eye contact with people of the opposite sex when walking down the sidewalk, since I was told that any friendly interaction might be misinterpreted as something more. Also, while Costa Rica is mostly LGBT+ friendly, many people still believe in the classification of gender binary. Some of my peers who identified as queer felt misgendered when others used incorrect pronouns or assumed their gender identity. The gender neutral pronoun in Spanish is “elle” (they/them), but I didn’t hear it being used. These circumstances, while not always comfortable, were things that we had to accept with patience and flexibility. Although I experienced some cultural shock, I learned that having an open-mind is what allows you to adapt to the new environment.
To conclude, my study abroad and service-learning experience was memorable, exciting, and meaningful. I achieved my goals of improving my Spanish proficiency, learning about Costa Rican culture and traditions, and engaging with the local community. Most importantly to me, I built meaningful relationships with peers, professors, advisors, and my host family. While not every day was perfect (life isn’t!), and there were numerous challenges, I survived the low moments and came back more resilient. To anyone who is thinking of studying abroad, or is currently studying abroad, my piece of advice is to say “yes” to opportunities that excite you or push you in a good way. Also, it’s okay to say “no” when you’re feeling overwhelmed or overworked; practice following your intuition when faced with a difficult choice or a challenge. You’ve got this! ¡Buen viaje!
