Costa Rica’s Musicians

As we all become a little bit more familiar with Costa Rica, we may ask ourselves how this small country can have small impact on Spanish music with all the music currently being made? In fact, Costa Rica has a large, very large influence on Spanish music. It has a very diverse type of rhythm and sound that can be tied back to its native sounds. Some musicians that I am not even familiar with are: Debi Nova, and Cocofunka. These musicians are native to Costa Rica, whether they were born there, or they are a native band to the country.

Debi Nova is a native born “tica” who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. She is extremely popular with the youth, both English and Spanish youth, and was featured on the EA FIFA 2005 video game with her song One Rhythm. Her songs are popular with the youth due to the fact they mix both English and Spanish in her lyrics and have a pop like sound. She has worked with top Latin artist such as Ricky Martin, Franco de Vita, and Sean Paul. Her music is best described as a mixture between latin pop and latin dance music. Debi was also involved in six Grammy nominations and has excelled in the music industry and continues to work and put out music while in Los Angeles.

While I am not familiar with Debi Nova, I will be sure to do a little more investigating and start to listen to her music. While I am hesitant to listen to her music because I do see that her most recent music is mostly in English, I will be sure to give her a chance and start with her Spanish songs first. I mean, she is a “tica” and us “ticas” have to stick together and support each other.

The next group I was very excited to find out about was Cocofunka. The group name in itself seems like it would come from the rainforests of Costa Rica. Cocofunka is a band composed of six musicians all from Costa Rica. The band got together in 2008 and has since put out many EP’s such as: La Criminal, Elevante, and Chucaro. Cocofunka has performed strictly in Costa Rica and promote themselves an innovative mixture of latin sound. The group has been approached by many popular manager, they have yet to work with someone outside of the country due to their fear of losing their original sound. The group has performed at the University of Costa Rica, and La Sabana (a central park in Costa Rica) and has brought in crowds of students and fans to watch them perform. However, Cocofunka is still a small group, compared to Debi Nova, but they are creating and building a platform for themselves in Costa Rica.

I am excited to listen to this group because I feel that they will be more original and native to Costa Rican sound. The group has a Facebook group and can be found on Spotify for many of their songs.

Costa Rica’s Economy

Costa Rica’s economy has grown since 2017 with the growth in exports such as bananas, coffee and sugar. These exports are, globally, benefiting nations across the world. Bananas, coffee and sugar are some of the most exported products of Costa Rica but in a growing age of technology that are now also a lead in electronic exports. Products such as cars, medical instruments, computers, and broadcasting equipment are shipped worldwide to countries such as: United States, China and Netherlands. Not only does Costa Rica produce massive amounts of exports but they also, within the country, offer a rich biodiverse land which upholds a major ecotourism destination for many. Ecotourism is a major part that upholds the economy of Costa Rica and allows for it to continue prospering.Ecotourism has helped expand agriculture, and other electronic industries. According to Ricardo Valverde Sanchez of the University of Costa Rica, the assistance that ecotourism has helped the country is astonishing. He states, “Tourism directly accounted for 5.4% of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015.”  Such policies contribute both positively and negatively to the growth economically. However, a country that prioritizes such policies have ultimately showed how important the environment is rather than capitalism.  

Geographically the significance of rainfall has allowed for such fertile soil that the continuation of agricultural growth. Almost one fourth of the country is preserved for natural preservation with sites ranging from beaches to rainforests and has become also a hotspot for retirees around the world, another economic sustainability that allows for Costa Rica’s economy to grow. While Costa Rica was for many years and some may even say continues to be a very socialist nation the growth within the country has changed gears for Costa Rica in a more capitalistic nation. A country that is very prideful of their “No Army” slogan and in 2018 ranked first in Latin America and 12th in the World Happiness Index it could seem that Costa Ricans got it down pat economically. In addition, the rich environment captures attention of many ecological friendly policies such as their 2015 pledge to be a carbon neutral country by 2021.

My own relevant experiences have also been nothing but positive in Costa Rica. Growing up in there, I was accustomed to free health care, free public education and abundance more thanks to the economic growth of the country. What Costa Rica is offering for its citizens, incoming immigrants, tourists and everyone who visits, is an experience that I hope to learn from. From a country very different from the United States economically the growth of Costa Rica may gear towards a more capitalistic United States. Of course, someone who may have a more capitalist approve economically could say how Costa Rica is still a developing country and cannot be compared to such a large nation much like the United States. Ultimately, the fact that Costa Rica is growing and becoming recognized worldwide for its work environmentally, and socially must be an achieved goal or a goal set by other countries in similar positions.  

Journal 2: Cultural Flexibility and Me

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.

Journal 1: Who am I?

With help of the diagram from our reading in the Maximizing Study Abroad book I feel that it has help identify myself and allow for further examination in how I may interact with my soon to be host country. The fact that I am studying abroad in a country I was born in is a bit intimidating. I do identify myself as “Tica” but I feel in doing so I may offend others that still live in Costa Rica. For example, I am too “white” when I do travel and visit family there but on the other hand when I am here I am noticeably “darker” than others here. In the explanation of the diagram it says, “the various roles that we play in life have an impact on our identity…” (page 45). I believe that my study abroad experience will be unique as visiting and having lived in the country will shape me differently.

Another bubble that I filled as with “Sister”. I believe that this is significant because as I leave my family here I will still follow the unassigned role of leadership I have upheld as an older sister. I am caring, and love to help others so I know that I will focus greatly on others on my trip. On the other hand, I know that being away from my family will swade me to take more precautions on my adventures. By this I mean, I will be sure to call them throughout the week and check in as I normally do when I am home. I realize that that may negatively impact my interact with my host country.

Another significant role I play is “worker”. I currently work two jobs and almost never miss a day of work. Putting myself through school financially has caused a lot of stress throughout the school year. While in Costa Rica I know I will be expected to attend classes and later in the program take part in an internship. I am very excited to focus and experience as much as I can while there rather than focusing on work as I have been doing.

Most significantly, my role as “ girlfriend” will be difficult. I am sure many people in relationships have studied abroad but I feel that no one can say it is easy. While missing my family I am going to be missing my boyfriend too. Being away from anyone can be hard but I believe that specifically this role will be difficult transfering to my host country. As the book explains, “… there are times when being independent is going to come first” (page 47). I have to study abroad not only for my degree at North Central but I also feel that it will give me a greater understanding and independence that I may have not gotten without leaving.

Most importantly, I am not abandoning these roles I play when leaving a adjusting to my host country. I am simply transferring or fixing them to help me in a different situation.