Cross-Culture Reflection

During my time abroad I have learned many things. From what ‘tico time’ truly means to the unconditional love my host family has for me. I have learned that many Ticos have an idea of what it is to be from the United States but they also don’t know very much about the culture. They base it off of movies and TV shows that portray us to be something is not anything like what we actually are. 

While at my internship, my coworker who is the same age as myself, was asking me if what it’s like in Mean Girls, is what high school is like in the US. I laughed of course and thought she was kidding but then I realized she was being dead serious. I explained that it could depend on the type of high school but for the most part, cliques do exist but not to that extent. I have learned from many conversations that family is the most important thing here. It is even noticeable when walking through the streets or even the mall. Dads are holding babies and their kids hands while also holding their significant others hand, and it is very different from what you would see back home. The concept that family is the most important thing you can have in life. Friends are great but you won’t see friends hanging out or staying the night at your house, you’ll see family, parents, grandparents, siblings, babies and everyone in between kissing each other and hugging no matter where you are at. Reflecting on the importance of family, I do wish and crave that families back home would be more like that. I wish you would see more families holding hands and admiring each other the way they do here. It also makes me, as half Costa Rican, want to share that characteristic that we have with others. The many stereotypes that people from the US have, while hurtful and annoying as they are, are kinda true. Our host family in San Jose, actually asked us if people walk around with guns? We were all taken aback by the question but also understood. I really enjoy conversations about what the US is depicted as versus what it is actually like. I believe that it helps understand both cultures and expand our worldviews. 

I also believe that I have adapted to ‘tico time’ quite well. ‘Tico time’ is an expression that excuses the fact that everything runs late. The buses, classes, appointments and much much more. At first, I could say that it quite honestly drove me insane. I couldn’t understand why people were so ok with being a little late to everything. What kind of way of life is?- I would ask myself everyday! Now, I even use that excuse when I’m running a little late to something. It works out quite nicely, but I know it’ll be rough getting back to being early just to be on time. Life is much more relaxing here, there is no rush (minus the traffic rush), and everyone is just happy with the way it is.