¡Buenas Días! Greetings from San José, Costa Rica! I am Navy Browning a sophomore at Valparaiso University and I would like to welcome you to the Photography Blog for Study Abroad at the Office of International Programs.
As a contributor, my aim is to illustrate my abroad experience through digital medial, primarily photography. I will be capturing people, places and “pura vida” (Costa Rican motto of pure life). I would love to share my experience with everyone who has an interest in cross-cultural exchange and life living outside of the comfort zone.
I encourage you to both contact me with any questions or comments at navy.browning@valpo.edu and to learn about everything multicultural and international by visiting the Gandhi King Center on campus!
Shown here is a picture of me with my host family during my Summer 2013 volunteer work in the Dominican Republic.
The following was written by San José Study Center student Malachia Jones-Bone.
The Spring 2014 Costa Rica cohort in the Magistrates’ Chamber
I’m two weeks shy of being in Costa Rica for 4 months. This trip to Costa Rica has been the greatest experience I’ve ever experienced. The beautiful scenery, the friendly people, the warmth in each community, are all aspects I’ve appreciated. I came to Costa Rica looking to find myself. This is a broad statement, but to be more specific I wanted come out of my comfort zone and find my place in the world. The only places I was accustomed to were the Chicago and Valparaiso areas. Of course I’ve visited a few other states, but nothing like Costa Rica or Nicaragua. My experiences of the United States had me initially with high expectations of Central America. Of course the pre departure meetings helped but I was not prepared mentally nonetheless. Walking through the gate to my host family home I was nervous, anxious and somehow ready to start fresh somewhere. The first months here in Costa Rica were exciting. I met new people I’ve never seen at Valpo prior to this trip. I was forced to work with a group of students I had no similarities with, and oddly enough those students became some of my closest friends. Aside from attending Spanish classes we were able to explore Costa Rica. Every week was a different adventure. One adventure that sticks out to me was traveling to Manuel Antonio National Park, on the Pacific Ocean. We planned and executed the trip with little to no outside help. We walked the streets because apparently J-walking is not illegal here. The streets twisted and turned. The weather was exceptionally hot. You could practically fry an egg on the side walk. Every corner had a small business or local restaurant. As we walked we could hear the music coming from various restaurants, cars, and residential homes. There were chickens walking around in the alley as well as roosters who literally became my alarm clock for the next few days. For the first time in my life I felt completely independent and on my own. It was a breath of fresh air but scary at the same time. At that moment I realized new adventures might be scary but they are worth it in the end because I grew as a person! It is worth it to try something new and relinquish my comfort zone because in return I have an opportunity to experience life in a whole new way.
“Spanglish. Spanglish is the word of the week. It’s tough spending all morning in an all Spanish class, spending the next 4 hours in an all English class, then going home to an only Spanish-speaking household. I’m finding myself struggling to express myself in both English and Spanish. Which I guess is a good problem to have…but these first couple weeks are rough. But, between classes and home time, I’m soaking in all the culture. Here’s a rundown of the last week.
Last Saturday we went to Guayabo National Park and saw the ruins of an indigenous tribe, as well as the aqueducts that they built…and they still work! Those circles in the back of the photo are the foundations of the dwellings. Because Costa Rica has a rainy season and this site is in a valley, they built their houses on a raised foundation, made of stone, to prevent flooding. Pretty smart, huh?
Guayabo National Park
It was pretty cool to take the tour in Spanish and understand most of what was said. Everyday is like one more baby step. After the tour, we had a picnic lunch. And when I say picnic, I mean full on meal…check it out.
A feast of a picnic!
Even so, we naturally had to stop at 3 for coffee. We took a rest stop at a little cafe with a fantastic view of the mountains. We had our coffee individually brewed and took in the scenery.
Gorgeous mountain viewGroup photo!
After our coffee break, we continued onward to Orosi where we saw the oldest church in Costa Rica that still has a congregation. Then we went into Cartago and saw the Basilica. Although we didn’t get to spend much time in the Basilica (because there was Mass), we did get to see the springs that some say have healing powers. There is a legend that says an indigenous girl, during the time of colonization, found a black figurine of the Virgin Mary near a spring. She took it home, but the next day found that it was gone. Returning to the spring, she again found the figurine. After consulting the Priest, the people decided to build a church in her honor…hence, the Basilica. The figurine is still in the church for most of the year, expect for when it tours other churches in the country.
The oldest "functioning" church in Costa Rica
Basilica
Later in the week, we got to go inside the Costa Rican Supreme Court Building as well as the equivalent to the Costa Rican FBI building. That was pretty cool. We listened to speakers who told us about the work their doing in Latin America to address human trafficking, drug trafficking, along with other international issues.
We got to sit in the magistrates' chamber at the Supreme Court.
And of course, we had class everyday. I have officially survived half of my time at the UCR. Two weeks down, two weeks to go. Even though I’m enjoying my class there, 4 hours a day is really tough…But, there are definitely some perks. For example…
This is where I go to school...
This is what we do in class..
Okay, that’s not all we do in class. I had my second exam and second presentation today. Exam went alright. Stinkin’ Spanish pronouns are confusing! Presentation went well. J.R.R. Tolkien…influential in any language. In my class, there are 2 other VU people, a girl from South Korea, a boy from Germany, and 3 girls from KU. They’re definitely not in Kansas anymore…
Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
It’s a nice small group, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. My professor is great. Even though she’s constantly laughing at her own jokes (most of which we don’t get…), she is very good about making our 4 hour class interesting. We do lots of small group work and interactive activities. She likes to play games and she’s very willing to answer questions. God is so good. 🙂
Last week I said I was anxious to settle into a routine. I’m glad to say that I have one now, more or less. I wake up every day at 6:30, eat at 7:00, out the door by 7:15, on the bus at 7:37. Then class, lunch, and most days class at the Valpo center. Although some days we have field trips, like our tour of the government buildings. And we always have at least one afternoon off. This is a much-needed break. Yesterday, for example, we all had a nice sit down lunch, ate some killer nachos, and just talked.
Life with the host family is also going well. Granted, it’s a pretty awkward just jumping into the lives of total strangers. But after a day or so I started feeling pretty comfortable in their home. The family I live with consist of a mom, dad, and college age daughter. My host mom is great; she makes me breakfast every morning, which always includes fruit and coffee, and usually some other food to go along with it. My host dad is always very eager to ask how my day was, and he likes asking me questions to help me practice my Spanish.
After two weeks, I’m not only learning the routine of the house, like Friday is laundry day and we eat cereal for dinner on Sundays, but also about who they are. For example, I’m learning that I live in a house divided. If you’re a Cubs/Sox fan or a Bears/Packers fan, you’ll understand. My host dad loves Cartago soccer, but my host mom and sister love Alajuela. But everyone knows Saprissa is actually the best. Even thought sometimes I feel like I’ve stepped into a Spanish sitcom where I don’t know what’s going on, I know that I’m part of the family.
God has been so good in putting me here. He has answered the prayers of my heart in placing me in this home, and I am so thankful. He is my constant companion, since every day has its ups and downs. We’ve done lots of cool stuff like I wrote about…but there is a lot of struggle that goes on too. I ask for your prayers for me and my classmates as we continue in our journey.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways. -Psalm 91:11 “
–Megan Dean
