All the Places You'll Go!

Muddy after zip lining in Monteverde.

Rocking J's hostel in Puerto Viejo.

 One of the greatest parts of my study abroad experience has been the times I have gotten to spend traveling. Not having classes on Fridays has made it easy to plan weekend get aways. To date, I have been to Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde, Irazu Volcano, Puerto Viejo, Limon, Nicaragua (Isla Ometepe and San Juan del Sur) and Tamarindo. From my travels I have learned so many things! Like how you can still have a good time on a budget. Traveling has added to my study abroad experience because I have been able to push myself out of my comfort zone, meeting people, trying things I never though I would, and sleeping in places that would usually make me want to scream. I saw my first monkey, and the beauties of almost untouched land in Manuel Antonio. In Monteverde, I learned about dairy farming, how American Quakers settled the land, and took a leap of courage by zip lining through the cloud forest. I saw my first ever volcano, Irazú, and was able to stare down into its crater, when the clouds weren’t in the way! In Puerto Viejo I saw the Rasta side of Costa Rica, heavily influenced by Caribbean culture, and a city were racism and discrimination virtually did not exist. In Limón I learned the basics of sustainable farming and rural tourism, and had the chance to live with a family on a farm, fishing, learning about the plant life, and sleeping with a restless bat flying around the room.

Riding a bus with locals in Nicaragua. 

 In Nicaragua I got a look into a completely different world, where poverty is sadly still too common, but where the people still live on, getting by day by day with a smile on their faces and a welcoming attitude.
Finally, on my last trip to Tamarindo, I got to experience first hand the wonder of meeting amazing new people from all over the world, and just how great good company can really be. I had my first of several hostel experiences, each one better then the last. Maybe because of all the crazy hostel themed horror movies I’ve seen, this was not something I was looking forward to. But I actually have come to love the sense of friendship and community you get from cooking in a hostel’s kitchen, talking to everyone around you getting to know where they are from and why they are here. Physically I have had to push myself; I’ve gone on some intense hikes (by my standards), flown high above the trees, and trekked with a heavy backpack farther then I ever planned. Mentally, I started off always worrying, wanting to have every thing planned out and to be home early every sunday so I could get work done, and ended up going with the flow and even enjoying myself so much I stayed an extra day in Tamarindo. I even had to push myself when it came to a sense of safety, traveling always on public buses used by locals, and crossing a border into a once war torn country. One of the most enlightening parts of my recent travels has been the people I’ve met. They have ranged in age, gender, sexual orientation, and nationality; each with a unique story of how they ended up in the same place as me.

Hostel on Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua, situated between two volcanoes.

I have learned so much from these people, from their opinions of Americans and the USA, to the different trials and tribulations of life, to the importance of embracing your age and just living your life to the fullest. The Ticos I’ve met have taught me about the culture, the history, and most importantly the land so many of them are trying desperately to preserve. I’ve made two amazing friends that I’ve gotten so close to mainly because of the crazy and chaotic situations traveling has put us in together. Every now and then we think back and say, “ Wow, that was crazy! Are we really still alive?!” Studying in San Jose has taught me the academics behind development and human rights.  Traveling has taught me the realities of life in Central America. 

Attempting to surf in Tamarindo. 

As I begin the count down to my return to the United States I begin to realize just how amazing my time here has been, and how it would not have been nearly the same with out all of my many adventures. Looking forward, I know I will forever remember the lessons learned and wonderful moments, and I will always carry with me the memories and relationships I’ve made during my days on the road. The sunsets, the fits of laughter, the moments of terror, the exhaustion, the butterflies in your stomach, the nights spent sleeping in a hammock- those are the things that have made my experience.