There are many things that make you a good cultural ambassador! Here is a list that I created throughout my time while studying.

1. Have an open mind!
2. Try new food. Even if you think you may not like it. BUT if it’s papaya don’t try it. It smells as good as it tastes, which is bad.
3. Don’t think you know everything about everyone because you have a few friends who speak the language. Everyone is different and not all cultures are the same.
4. It’s ok to cry because you are frustrated and people keep speaking to you in English rather than allowing you to practice Spanish.
5. Do everything you can, even if it costs money, even if it is out of your comfort zone, even if you did something similar at home, BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN YOU WILL HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN!

I want to remember that I am a spoiled brat back home. I am so privileged and need to remember that I am very comfortable back home. Walking through the small town of Quepos allows for you to see the way of life here. There are children playing with old baby dolls and random home items. My host family had a distant cousin and her son was just 2 years old. His name is Aiden and he is the happiest, cutest, and most easy going baby I’ve ever met. His mom did not receive child support from her ex and there was a lot of struggle. The few items I did not have room for in my suitcase I was able to give to them. Items such as wet wipes (it gets hot and sticky there), sunscreen (I had brought it from home because it was too expensive to buy in CR), and feminine hygiene products that I did not need.

I know that I am not as well off as other NCC students, but I do know that I am in a better financial position than Aiden and his mom. I hope nothing but the best for them and I really enjoyed the time I had with him. I took him to the little store around the corner and bought him little juices that he would normally not get at home. I am so grateful that they included me in the little things. Gracias Aiden, Marlene y Cindy ❤

This ice cream shop was the most amazing hole in the wall ice cream shop. I have to stop going because it is too dangerously good and will make me broke by half of our trip. I could not recommend it enough!!! The cheesecake flavor is out of this world

After Panama it was time to return to Costa Rica and we had to go to our second host family. We were all lucky enough to get to live together. It was more than interesting…

We went to Panama by car and it was not at all what I was expecting. It was even BETTERRRR!

First half of our trip in Quepos…

Some ideas that I have found intriguing as I read the cultural differences in our Maximizing Study Abroad book, were how to differentiate from personal and universal differences.

Personal differences can be examples such as: walking instead of taking the bus, or sleeping with the light one. I didn’t realize that such differences could be categorized as personal rather than universally known. Some personal differences while in Costa Rica that I will be shown will be preferences to transportation. Either taking the bus, taxi, or other public transportation rather than driving a car or motorcycle will be something I can definitely ask my host family. While I am familiar with Costa Rica, I think I will struggle with the fact that I will be living with someone other than my family. Freedoms such as driving a car or riding a bike won’t be offered to me in the same way as when I stay with my family. I will have to take more public transportation than I am use to even while in the US. I won’t lie, that does make me a bit nervous just because I don’t even like taking public transportation here I will most likely need to to get around in Costa Rica.

Universal differences can be: respecting your elders, or feeling sorry for stepping on the back of someone’s shoe. These differences are known to all and can be learned by observing behaviors when visiting a country. Respecting your elders I feel may be different for the US culture and the Costa Rican one. In the US we are told to respect our elders but I feel that it is to a degree that we do. In Costa Rica, no matter the situation, if they are right or wrong, you elders are respected. I know that respecting my elders will not be a challenge for myself as I am use to it with my Costa Rican family and my US family.

Some challenges that I believe I will face while in Costa Rica will be typical home sickness. I know I will want my regular food and as a vegetarian I will very much need to be asking questions as to what my food was cooked in, or what each item contains. I am always nervous if I eat out that my food could come in contact with meat. Also, another question I get a lot as a vegetarian is if I eat fish or eggs. In Costa Rica, even when I have visited, I make an exception to eggs. I will eat them on their own or in food but at home I do not. I also do not eat fish and I believe that that will be a bit of trouble because it is a country with a large fishing population. Dietary needs will most definitely be a challenge as well as stereotypes of Americans. While in Costa Rica, I want to look, act, and be everything a Costa Rican is like. I am going to stay away from the stereotypes of Americans which are: that they are loud, entitled, and that we are self-centered. While those can be generalizing I feel that with the large amount of American travelers in Costa Rica there is an understanding and not stereotypes of Americans that will be seen as negative.