Costa Rica with Ray

Ray’s Final Weeks in Costa Rica

Name: Ray Jackson

Program: Valpo Study Center in Costa Rica

Location: Heredia & San Jose, Costa Rica

Finishing Marketing Class

The fifth week is when I ended my marketing class. It didn’t feel like we did much in this class, but in general, I like how it turned out. Including me, there were only three students in the class, so we interacted a lot with one another. There were even several times when we got to have a treat, watch movies, or go to the ice cream shop courtesy of the university. A lot of the time class can be stressful, so I’m glad I was able to get through this one with ease, while making some friends along the way.

Internship Update: Explosion in the Kitchen

My internship did get a tad bit more interesting than what it was before. In the last couple of weeks, the only thing I did was take inventory. But one day, while that was happening, the pressure cooking exploded in the kitchen leaving a huge mess. Luckily, I wasn’t in the kitchen when it happened, but I was still close enough to see the whole thing. Too bad for my ears though 🤯. Pieces of the pressure cooker flew throughout the kitchen and even broke the walls. But very fortunately, no one was harmed. Everyone was rather frightened, and we had to call the ambulance for one worker who was having a panic attack. But by the next day, everything was up and running like normal.

In all, it didn’t feel like I was very involved during my internship because most of the time, I was just sitting around waiting for something to do. Even the people who worked there sometimes had time to watch whole movies on their phone, do homework, or even take naps. But I’m glad that I was able to form a connection with most of the people who worked there. If there is one business skill that I know well, it’s networking and getting to know people.

Volunteering

I also volunteered at a small organization called Fundacion Mujer during my last two weeks so that I can get more experience in the realm of business. This organization helps guide immigrants in Costa Rica in their adjustment to a new community. In my time there I did a lot of inventory, and I wrote down a lot of customer requests so that the organization can help them at a later date. But I was also able to streamline the process a bit by making digital forms and simplifying some of the documentation. There aren’t many workers there, so what I did will free up some time that they can use for other things. 

I didn’t have much time with this organization, but I’m glad that I was able to contribute to their cause and connect to everyone working and volunteering there. They were all very welcoming to me, and it means a lot that they took the time to hear my ideas and make me feel comfortable. I think this shows that it doesn’t take much for you to make a difference.

More Fun with the Program

One part of my journey that I haven’t talked much about was spending more time with everyone in my program after the Limon excursion. Every week we liked to reunite and have dinner together and talk about how our week was. We would also sometimes do something random like go shopping, walk around town, or watch a movie. This time was pleasing for me because it was nice to not feel like the only foreigner in town, and everyone trusted me and welcomed me with open arms.

My last dinner with everyone was nice, but also a little bit sad. I usually fall in love easily, and everyone, either in the program or working for it, had already won my heart. It will probably be a long time before I see everyone again, but it’s always nice to know you have people looking out for you even from other parts of the world.

Coming Back Home

When the day came around to go home, it was bittersweet. I didn’t expect to make so many connections out there. But since I did, I found it a little hard to say goodbye. But that’s why I’m glad we are still connected through social media and things like that. I was also ready to get back to a bunch of unfinished business back in the states and to see my family again.

I had two flights getting back to Chicago, so my first plane arrived in Houston Texas. Coincidentally, this is where my dad grew up, so I usually go out there frequently to see that side of my family. So, it was very gratifying when one of the first things I heard getting off the plane was a woman talking to me in a rich Texas accent, “Come on now, Honey. Ya got yer passport out?” It felt good to be back.

It felt a little weird going back into my old routine at first, but at the same time it felt like nothing had changed. It only took me a day to shake off the habit of speaking and thinking in Spanish all the time, but it’s been a few days now, and I’m still dreaming in Spanish for some reason. Nonetheless my mind feels at peace now that I’m surrounded by English again.

Now that I’m back in the U.S. it’s a little hard to believe that I went all the way to Costa Rica and back. And it’s even more incredible just how much I got done and how many new people I met in just six weeks. It was definitely a well-rounded experience and an experience that I will never forget. I would definitely visit Costa Rica again in the future, and now I have friends to spend that time with when I do. If anyone is interested in traveling to Costa Rica or some other country, I hope you’re able to take advantage of the opportunity just as much as I did ❤️!