Mi Casa y Mis Amigos
The first week in Costa Rica has been a whirlwind. Over the span of 7 days and 6 nights we have already spent time in three different locations. Between the Pacaure Reserve, home stays with local families and on campus dorms we have truly gotten the opportunity to experience it all.
Our first lodging experience at Pacaure Reserve was initially described as “Rustic” and “Survivor Like” by our professor. When she first started saying this we didn’t quite understand her fully. However, after three hours of transportation through rocky, muddy roads and crocodile infested waters we finally began to come to terms with what she truly meant by that “rustic”. We arrived at the Reserve to find that we had no electricity, simple housing and no hot water. The Reserve, deeply tucked within the jungles of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, thrived with insects and diverse wild life. As a result each of us were quickly bitten by the many different types of insects inhabiting the jungle. When the sun set at 6:00pm and we were left to the dependency of our candle light and flash lights we quickly became very appreciative of electricity. Each of us students had to think of creative games to play until we were finally ready to go to bed. These first few days at the Reserve forced all eight of us to become closely bonded very quickly. Many of us did not know one another before the trip however after two nights in the jungle we became friends who seemed like they had known each other for ages.
After this eye opening experience we made way to our home stay visits with local Costa Rican families in a middle-class neighborhood named Suerre. Each of us were paired up together in different homes within the neighborhood. The majority of us on the trip do not have strong Spanish language backgrounds. Walking into homes where practically no one spoke English was yet another obstacle that forced us students to depend on one another and learn quickly together. Needless to say, the homes were welcoming and inviting regardless of the language barrier. Each home made us a part of their family for the short time that we were there. Our experience at these home stays shed light onto the daily life of a Costa Rican and drew a picture of what life is like in the Suerre community.
Beginning today we have finally made it back to campus where we are residing in the student dorms. The dorms were a flashback to my freshman year – communal bathrooms, tight living quarters and optimal time to socialize. It was as if I had never left Stetson East.
These unique housing environments and unexpected challenges have made it extremely easy to meet and get to know my fellow Northeastern students on the trip with me. However, it has made it difficult to meet students who attend Earth University due to our ever changing lodging locations. I suspect that as the month continues we will have more opportunities of expanding our networks and meeting students from Earth University. Our Northeastern crew is a tight knit group that I am positive will continue to grow in flourish in our relationships. I am sure that the relationships we foster on this trip will be genuine and lasting friendships beyond our time in Costa Rica.
