As I mentioned in my last post, I have learned a lot about communication and the power in it while here in Costa Rica. I have found it to be one of the most valuable things a person can possibly master. I say this for many reasons: language barriers suck, but are easy to overcome; wifi and cell phones can be helpful, but can also be insanely harmful; and people are awesome, no matter who they are, how old they are, what they do, what the've done, what they want to do--they are just awesome.
While in Costa Rica, I have had many opportunities to practice my Spanish (which was little-to-nonexistent before coming here) within the community and in other parts of the country. When I am sitting in on a conversation at the dinner table or watching the news, I find myself being able to understand a lot more than I thought would be possible! I have learned a ton in the month that I've been here,
While in Costa Rica, I have had many opportunities to practice my Spanish (which was little-to-nonexistent before coming here) within the community and in other parts of the country. When I am sitting in on a conversation at the dinner table or watching the news, I find myself being able to understand a lot more than I thought would be possible! I have learned a ton in the month that I've been here,
but have not learned as much as I wish I had. While I can sort of carry on a conversation with people, I am usually a better listener. Speaking with someone is very different than nodding along with your host family as they talk about something they heard earlier in the day. I have made quite a few big mistakes when conversing--rather, trying to converse--with those around me. For instance, a woman just came in to the center and asked if Angela (the Executive Director of the Learning Center, and soon-to-be travel buddy to the States) was here and I tried to tell her, "No, she is sick," but, instead, I accidentally told her, "No, she's in hell." Solana, sitting in the background, quickly corrected me saying, "Enfermo, enfermo!" and the woman, eyeing me for saying infierno, walked away, thanking us. [Insert face palm here].
There are lots more stories, many having to do with cab rides and giving wrong directions. While in San Jose last weekend, Xavier and I were trying to get to our hostel named Casa Colon, but we kept saying Casa Blanca by mistake (I'd like to thank the Academy...). Just picture two American tourists asking a taxi driver to take them to the White House and you'll understand precisely why he charged us double the normal amount. At another point in time while being here, Papaya, our amazing taxi driver between Copey and Santa Maria, drove all the way to Copey instead of picking Xavier and I at the bus station late one night in the pouring rain because I told him we were at home, rather than we needed to get picked up to go home. I felt so bad, I purposely paid him double.. Needless to say, there have been many instances in which the language barriers between me and others in this country have been frustrating, embarrassing, maddening, and funny to look back on.
Another thing I have noticed while being here is the reliance on cell phones and wifi connections I have grown up with. Before coming on this trip, I had never thought of myself as the kind of person who relies heavily on her cell phone. However, after spending almost a month mostly without it, I am not so sure I was as distant as I thought. The amount of time I used to spend on my phone, whether it was on social media, playing a game, or texting/talking to someone I'd be seeing in less than 24 hours, was not as much as other people, but definitely more than I've ever realized. Not having access to wifi 24/7 has taught me a lot about the importance and unimportance of cell phone coverage and data connection. For one, it was helpful to have access to Google Translate when I needed it, and, for another, it was nice to be able to communicate with friends and family back home when I had the chance. However, I am incredibly thankful for the occasional power outages that forced everyone pick their heads out of a phone or tablet and talk to one another. I am incredibly thankful for not paying extra for a plan that would allow me to use my iPhone in another country so I wasn't glued to it in response to the nerves I felt when I first arrived. I am incredibly thankful for the general social norms of not having phones at the table, not having it out during a conversation, not complaining about access to service or wifi the second it's inaccessible that I was taught growing up, or else I would have been up a creek without a paddle.
Last, but not least, for this final "in Copey" post, I want to talk briefly about some pretty awesome people I've been blessed to meet and get to know while I've been here. A few days ago, we had a despedida, which is Spanish for farewell, for Angela. Although the surprise party was for her, she was not the only one who was surprised. Xavier and I were thanked and given little goodbye gifts from the students and the community. We were asked to say a few words regarding our experience and it was all very sweet. All of the people of Copey have been so warm and welcoming to us while we've been here, I can't even begin to explain my gratitude for them, especially Angela, the other volunteers, and my host family.
There are lots more stories, many having to do with cab rides and giving wrong directions. While in San Jose last weekend, Xavier and I were trying to get to our hostel named Casa Colon, but we kept saying Casa Blanca by mistake (I'd like to thank the Academy...). Just picture two American tourists asking a taxi driver to take them to the White House and you'll understand precisely why he charged us double the normal amount. At another point in time while being here, Papaya, our amazing taxi driver between Copey and Santa Maria, drove all the way to Copey instead of picking Xavier and I at the bus station late one night in the pouring rain because I told him we were at home, rather than we needed to get picked up to go home. I felt so bad, I purposely paid him double.. Needless to say, there have been many instances in which the language barriers between me and others in this country have been frustrating, embarrassing, maddening, and funny to look back on.
Another thing I have noticed while being here is the reliance on cell phones and wifi connections I have grown up with. Before coming on this trip, I had never thought of myself as the kind of person who relies heavily on her cell phone. However, after spending almost a month mostly without it, I am not so sure I was as distant as I thought. The amount of time I used to spend on my phone, whether it was on social media, playing a game, or texting/talking to someone I'd be seeing in less than 24 hours, was not as much as other people, but definitely more than I've ever realized. Not having access to wifi 24/7 has taught me a lot about the importance and unimportance of cell phone coverage and data connection. For one, it was helpful to have access to Google Translate when I needed it, and, for another, it was nice to be able to communicate with friends and family back home when I had the chance. However, I am incredibly thankful for the occasional power outages that forced everyone pick their heads out of a phone or tablet and talk to one another. I am incredibly thankful for not paying extra for a plan that would allow me to use my iPhone in another country so I wasn't glued to it in response to the nerves I felt when I first arrived. I am incredibly thankful for the general social norms of not having phones at the table, not having it out during a conversation, not complaining about access to service or wifi the second it's inaccessible that I was taught growing up, or else I would have been up a creek without a paddle.
Last, but not least, for this final "in Copey" post, I want to talk briefly about some pretty awesome people I've been blessed to meet and get to know while I've been here. A few days ago, we had a despedida, which is Spanish for farewell, for Angela. Although the surprise party was for her, she was not the only one who was surprised. Xavier and I were thanked and given little goodbye gifts from the students and the community. We were asked to say a few words regarding our experience and it was all very sweet. All of the people of Copey have been so warm and welcoming to us while we've been here, I can't even begin to explain my gratitude for them, especially Angela, the other volunteers, and my host family.
Angela, since day one, has done nothing but help Xavier and I feel more comfortable, learn new things, and make sure we had an awesome experience. I am glad I get to see her again soon back at the College during Summer Scholars, but am dreading the day I have to say goodbye for good. She is an amazing woman who will continue doing great things regardless of where she is and I have been incredibly blessed to have spent a month in Costa Rica with her as a mentor and friend. |
The other volunteers have also been a huge blessing. Without Markki and Marguerite's guidance when we first arrived, I would not have been able to teach the lessons I did. They are fantastic role models of who I'd like to be after I'm finished with school--going wherever life takes me with open arms and knowledge to share. I owe them all that I know about teaching and more. Solana and Joe are the newer volunteers at the Center, and, to them, I owe a lot of the same. The two of them are just as willing to teach and learn as Markki and Marguerite were. I am super excited to hear about all they are doing within the community in the months to come.
I have no words to describe the love and joy I feel toward my host family after spending a mere month with them. Mila and Varo have been the best host mom and dad I could have asked for. They have been so sweet and caring toward me and anyone else that walks through their door. Mila is the best cook I know and always made sure I was well fed. Varo was always great company at dinner, along with Danilo. Cece's smile and warm heart would brighten my day even more when I saw her during the day. Ariana and Tefa, my two host sisters, were always there to help attempt to translate anything I wanted to say into Spanish. I will never forget the many laughs and good times I have shared with the two of them, along with the rest of the family, especially Tito, my favorite little watch dog. I wish I knew the words to express the gratitude I have for them in Spanish; thankfully, hugs are a universal language. What a world we live in, in which a hug and a kiss on the cheek is the most valuable form of communication I know.
Before I sign off, I want to mention one more woman I met while on the whitewater rafting trip. During lunch, I went to go sit down at a small table across from a woman who was sitting by herself. As I sat there, eating my lunch, I was thinking of something I could say in Spanish to be nice, offering up some friendly conversation, when she spoke first, in English, asking me my name. After awhile, I had learned a lot about this woman; her name was Chelsea, she was on vacation in Costa Rica for the nth time, lives in LA, and was very interested in hearing about what Xavier and I have been doing while we've been here. I practically watched a light go off above her head as she listened to my experience at the Center. She, then, proceeded to tell me about an organization she has volunteered with six times--soon to be seven--in the last four years. The organization, called Hug it Forward, is an awesome organization, building schools in Latin America out of eco-bricks, or bottles stuff with trash. The passion she had for this organization and the energy she had when telling me the work she has done, the people she has met, and the hearts that touched her own was enough to inspire a young woman from Virginia (that's me). Her stories warmed my heart and made me want to know, so as soon as I was able, I looked up Hug it Forward and am super excited to follow along with everything they do. Who knows--maybe one day I'll even go to Guatemala and build a school out of eco-bricks!
Again, the power of good communication, active listening, and face-to-face conversation continues to amaze me. I can only hope I will be as good as an advocate for the Copey Learning Center and this wonderful community of amazing people as Chelsea is for Hug it Forward. I hope I can communicate to others the value in experiencing all that I have while being here. And maybe someone reading along will stop and think, "Hmm, I'd love to volunteer to teach ESL at a small school in Costa Rica for [insert ANY amount of time]." If any of you are having that thought, PLEASE let me know! The Center and the community would love another volunteer teacher. I hope, even if you aren't thinking that, that my stories and experiences I've shared, and will continue to share, will inspire others to do something similar. I am so thankful for all of those who have inspired me.
Before I sign off, I want to mention one more woman I met while on the whitewater rafting trip. During lunch, I went to go sit down at a small table across from a woman who was sitting by herself. As I sat there, eating my lunch, I was thinking of something I could say in Spanish to be nice, offering up some friendly conversation, when she spoke first, in English, asking me my name. After awhile, I had learned a lot about this woman; her name was Chelsea, she was on vacation in Costa Rica for the nth time, lives in LA, and was very interested in hearing about what Xavier and I have been doing while we've been here. I practically watched a light go off above her head as she listened to my experience at the Center. She, then, proceeded to tell me about an organization she has volunteered with six times--soon to be seven--in the last four years. The organization, called Hug it Forward, is an awesome organization, building schools in Latin America out of eco-bricks, or bottles stuff with trash. The passion she had for this organization and the energy she had when telling me the work she has done, the people she has met, and the hearts that touched her own was enough to inspire a young woman from Virginia (that's me). Her stories warmed my heart and made me want to know, so as soon as I was able, I looked up Hug it Forward and am super excited to follow along with everything they do. Who knows--maybe one day I'll even go to Guatemala and build a school out of eco-bricks!
Again, the power of good communication, active listening, and face-to-face conversation continues to amaze me. I can only hope I will be as good as an advocate for the Copey Learning Center and this wonderful community of amazing people as Chelsea is for Hug it Forward. I hope I can communicate to others the value in experiencing all that I have while being here. And maybe someone reading along will stop and think, "Hmm, I'd love to volunteer to teach ESL at a small school in Costa Rica for [insert ANY amount of time]." If any of you are having that thought, PLEASE let me know! The Center and the community would love another volunteer teacher. I hope, even if you aren't thinking that, that my stories and experiences I've shared, and will continue to share, will inspire others to do something similar. I am so thankful for all of those who have inspired me.