Before I talk about my experience abroad, I would like to thank donors for giving me this meaningful opportunity. Studying abroad can be expensive, but it is incredibly life changing.

I spent five weeks in Monteverde and six weeks in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. I had the experience of living with host families and experiencing authentic, homemade food that was beyond exquisite. I stayed with host families where I continued to speak Spanish although my classes were over. I constantly thought in Spanish and had the opportunity to struggle through my words and effectively communicate my intentions and understand my host family which was challenging. The frustration that came with not being able to communicate fully was motivation to learn even more.

Along with the host family experience, I was able to experience a lot of Costa Rican culture that we don’t learn about in school. It was absolutely shocking to find out that house animals roam the streets and return at night, and even more shocking to learn that the front doors are always open unless the family is sleeping or no one is home. The welcoming atmosphere of never leaving the front door closed is something that I can only imagine in the United States. The amount of people that would walk in and chat daily were encounters one looked forward to. The culture is so different and much more trusting than that in the United States. The heat and humidity was intense, yet the animals and nature were so breathtaking. To look from the top of a mountain to the bottom in the middle of a cloud is a feeling like no other. The cool, moist air against your skin and the beautiful valley of green beneath you through an opaque view of the clouds. The silence of the world standing still pierced through with the song of the wildlife and bugs. It is an experience like no other making one enamored by nature.

I was able to encounter many more breathtaking experiences, yet the memories I made with the people will always be my favorite. Doing research with elementary-level girls always kept me on my toes. There was never a dull moment, and the more comfortable they were, the more chaotic it became. My research partner did not speak Spanish very well, and the girls loved to have him repeat words that he cannot say properly. In turn, he would play similar pranks on them but in English. Everything fascinated my friend and whenever he saw something cool, he would yell my name as if he was yelling for something urgent. We were like little kids learning about our surroundings with the utmost interests. My second host family’s granddaughter who is 4 would come over frequently and play chase or the floor is lava with us. The locals were kind and helpful. We were able to befriend a taxi driver, and he helped us so much with getting out of town. He even told us about this waterfall that we ended up visiting.

Every part of my experience abroad helped me grow in ways that I would have never imagined. I have always had an interest in nature, and this program opened my eyes to just how beautiful a world we live in. The people that I met along the way showed me how much I truly want to learn Spanish, and how important human connection truly is. I found a home like no other and leaving was heartbreaking. On the flipside, I came back with a new mindset and much personal growth. There is so much that we can learn from other countries to help develop our own country, and I will be forever grateful for getting the opportunity to broaden my perspectives and deepen my understanding of the world. Thank you so much for making it possible for me to participate in this program!

Name: Waincey Chan
Status: Sophomore
Majors: Criminal Justice and Human Biology
Hometown: Fraser, Michigan
Program: Sustainability and Civic Engagement in Costa Rica