Something that I will be faced with in Costa Rica is being taught by non-Americans and their teaching strategies. By taking the Learning Style Survey I have come to the conclusion that I was not aware of how I preferred to learn. Something that will have to combat with while learning in Costa Rica is how I deal with language rules. I am more of an inductive learner and that requires for specific examples followed by the rules of language. In Spanish, some might say that it take a bit to “land the plane”. I have found that to be the case when learning as well. One good thing that will come of this will that we are taught at a language school with many other Americans. The professors are most likely trained in teaching similar to the way we are taught here. On the other hand, that will be a downfall as to immersing myself in the country and their education system.
Alongside, the way I blend in with the country will be due to my cultural-learning strategies as discussed in our reading assignment. These strategies I can somewhat learn before hand by asking other students who have studied abroad there but a majority of that will be learned as I am there. Questions such as: How a culture views “alone time?” Or When does a specific culture eat dinner? There are differences between cultural-learning strategies. Pre-departure strategies can easily be found online or asking someone while In- Country strategies will require more analysis of situations. Many students who study abroad also face “culture shock overload”. Culture shock overload is a feeling of overwhelming due to the immersion in a different culture. While I was born in Costa Rica and often visit I still come home feeling relieved to be home with a culture familiar to me. I am sure that I will feel very exhausted my first few weeks upon my arrival but I feel that once I get into my routine there I will be to feel more comfortable.
In addition, Spanish is my native language and will mean that the language barrier will affect me lesser than other students on the trip. This does not mean that speaking in Spanish will not be a stress factor for myself. English has become my native language with time, and Spanish has become a language that I have to constantly work on. As I have said, speaking another language can be exhausting and there will be times, I know, that I won’t want anything more than to speak with someone in English however, I know that with time speaking will become second nature. In our reading it is said that power/status could also be a stress factor. I have seen it first hand while visiting family in Costa Rica. Students studying there get frustrated while speaking and in stress use their power and status as Americans over citizens of the country. That, along with other stress factors will be noted and made conscious to never partake in. No matter status, power, or money because you are an America does not mean you are better than the citizens of the country you have chosen to study in.
Toes in the Water, Tica in the Sand 