Samantha’s Semester Overseas in Costa Rica
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Desirous to step into the footsteps of a faculty scholar who’s experiencing life in Costa Rica? We just lately caught up with AIFS Overseas scholar Samantha, a Felony Justice/Forensic Science main with a minor in Communication from Wisconsin Lutheran Faculty, who has spent her spring semester finding out overseas within the capital metropolis of San José on our program at Veritas College.
Learn on to be taught extra about her research overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas and the influence of being a global scholar in Costa Rica.
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period
Deciding when and the place to review overseas is usually a problem for lots of scholars (our workforce can assist with that!), however regardless of the place you go, you’re in for the journey of a lifetime! Samantha selected Costa Rica, which might not be the very first vacation spot that involves thoughts when you concentrate on finding out overseas — but it surely must be! Hear extra about why this Central American hotspot was ideally suited for her semester overseas:
“I selected to review overseas in Costa Rica as a result of it was one thing I’d by no means executed earlier than. I’ve visited international locations in South America and Europe however none examine to the tropical local weather Costa Rica presents. I might 110% advocate finding out overseas. I did so many issues I by no means thought I’d do and I received to have a brand new stage of independence.”
However, why research overseas in Costa Rica throughout spring semester particularly?
“I had executed some analysis about Costa Rican climate. I knew the spring semester can be within the ‘dry season’ which was excellent so I might really do some touring across the nation. I additionally selected the spring semester as a result of it labored greatest with how my lessons lined up, since I’ll now be a senior. I didn’t need to research overseas my senior 12 months due to the lessons I have to take, and it labored out approach simpler. I beloved the climate whereas I used to be there. Some days have been tremendous sizzling, however that’s to be anticipated.”
Teachers in Costa Rica
One of the thrilling elements of finding out overseas is taking distinctive, experiential programs at your host college or establishment! It lets you be in a special studying surroundings than you’re used to again at dwelling, and may broaden your perspective. By AIFS Overseas, Samantha’s spring semester programs overseas have been taken at Veritas College in San José, which has grown to turn into some of the extremely regarded personal universities in Latin America.
“I actually appreciated Veritas College. That they had so many alternatives to become involved. Additionally they had many alternatives to assist college students and their creations (some bringing in customized jewellery). I additionally appreciated how open the college was, permitting recent air to circulation all through your complete campus.”
At Veritas College, research overseas college students aren’t restricted to solely taking lessons with college students from their respective organizations.
“All of my lessons included individuals from different packages, together with AIFS. Some college students have been on their very own, others in packages instantly via their faculty. It was actually attention-grabbing listening to about everybody’s backgrounds and causes for finding out overseas.”
Learning overseas presents a singular alternative to take programs in a brand new setting. Whether or not you’ve gotten necessities to satisfy to finish your diploma or wish to enroll in electives that merely pique your curiosity, there are tons of wonderful studying alternatives! In Samantha’s case, she targeted primarily on electives as a scholar in Costa Rica with AIFS Overseas.
“I took Ecological Images, Rookies Spanish, Latin American Historical past, and Main World Religions. I believe my favourite was Main World Faith as a result of I didn’t know an excessive amount of about different cultures in addition to Christianity. I took primarily electives throughout my keep in Costa Rica; I completed all my lessons for my main earlier than finding out overseas.”
Transitioning into a brand new tutorial setting could be an thrilling problem! When you’re used to life as a university scholar on your own home college’s campus being a sure approach, life as a scholar overseas isn’t going to be a precise reproduction of that have — together with within the classroom. Samantha’s research overseas programs in Costa Rica have been arrange a bit in a different way than those she sometimes takes at Wisconsin Lutheran Faculty, sharing:
“The construction was undoubtedly totally different than my dwelling establishment. Each task’s factors have been approach lower than what the USA does. It makes it approach simpler to fail an task because it isn’t weighted as closely, however the professors are very cheap. I really feel that was the one factor that helped me there, since my professors at dwelling are very cheap as nicely.”
Language Studying
Enjoyable truth: It’s not a requirement to be fluent in a international language to review overseas! Whereas some course choices might require a sure stage of proficiency, we will accommodate language learners of all ranges on our packages. If language immersion scares you a bit, you’ll be able to at all times select to review overseas in an English-speaking nation, however we encourage you to push your self out of your consolation zone in case you’re in any respect . It may be extremely thrilling to be taught a brand new language as a scholar overseas — each inside and outdoors of the classroom!
Regardless of already having some Spanish expertise beneath her belt, Samantha’s language immersion expertise as a scholar overseas in Costa Rica, a Spanish-speaking nation, was very rewarding.
“I really feel like my expertise was a bit totally different than everybody else. I had taken 3 years of Spanish in highschool after which the Newbie Degree as a category in Costa Rica. The category was principally only a refresher course for me since loads of what I realized got here again to me. It could undoubtedly profit realizing a bit little bit of Spanish earlier than dwelling there for a semester, particularly when dwelling with a number household. Not all households knew English so it helped realizing quantity of Spanish. I might say simply attempt your greatest when studying a brand new language, most individuals can be prepared that can assist you.”
Housing
Do you know all AIFS Overseas packages embrace housing? Typical choices embrace shared flats, scholar residences/dorms, and dwelling with a native household in a homestay. Samantha’s lodging in Costa Rica have been with a number household — an ideal method to really immerse your self within the native language and tradition, in addition to have a home-away-from-home surroundings.
“I lived with a number household your complete keep. It was primarily my host mother, her daughter, my two roommates and I. There’d be some individuals who stayed the evening since my host mother had tons of room. I beloved my host mother and without end will. I’m so blessed to have had an expertise like that.”
Making Buddies Overseas
Faculty is usually the primary time many college students are out on their very own, forging friendships with different college students that may turn into virtually like household. Due to this, it may be comprehensible that some are on the fence about doing a research overseas program alone or take into account holding off making use of till a buddy is obtainable to go along with them. Clearly the extra the merrier, however we advocate that you simply research overseas when it’s handy for you. Likelihood is you’ll forge new friendships as soon as overseas, like Samantha did as a scholar in Costa Rica with AIFS Overseas.
“I didn’t know anybody coming into this system. I one way or the other ended up in a gaggle chat on Instagram with different individuals who have been planning on going the identical time as me. This undoubtedly helped my anxieties. My largest worry about finding out overseas was not making any mates. It’s undoubtedly laborious when individuals join higher with others, however I’m nonetheless very grateful for everybody I met. Don’t be afraid to place your self on the market when making mates. Everyone seems to be in the identical boat, and likelihood is, they’ve the very same worry.”
Social & Cultural Actions
Every AIFS Overseas program consists of social and cultural actions, in addition to excursions — and our research overseas program in San José is not any exception! These co-curricular experiences are an incredible method to be taught outdoors of the classroom, and for college kids to get to know their host area and its tradition. College students in Costa Rica can select from a wide range of exercise choices, however Samantha beloved our program-led non-compulsory 2-day tour to certainly one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse hotspots.
“I might say my favourite was going to Sarapiquí. That was the place I noticed my first toucan in nature, and it made my complete journey. I used to be so past excited. I additionally received to go whitewater rafting and see a lot of different animals in nature. At evening, we walked throughout a bridge and your complete sky was lit up with stars. That’s a sight I’ll always remember.”
Tradition Shock & Cultural Immersion
If you first arrive to your research overseas vacation spot and begin to transition into your life abroad, odds are chances are you’ll expertise a bit little bit of tradition shock. That stated, it may be totally different for every scholar! Some expertise it kind of than others. In Samantha’s case, she felt minimal results whereas finding out overseas in Costa Rica.
“I didn’t actually expertise tradition shock. I did a ton of analysis beforehand and knew I might get via a semester alone.”
However what about cultural experiences overseas, each in on daily basis life and distinctive one-off experiences? Samantha shares:
“I actually loved all the house cooked meals I received from my host mother. I additionally beloved how recent the fruit was, nothing will ever examine.”
“My favourite cultural expertise was visiting an indigenous neighborhood. It was so attention-grabbing to learn the way they stay their lives away from precise civilization.”
Progress via Training Overseas
However finding out overseas isn’t nearly tutorial or skilled progress — you additionally develop personally! Samantha’s publicity to the pura vida way of life has modified her strategy to day-to-day dwelling.
“I imagine I realized to be extra relaxed and ‘float.’ Costa Rica is extremely concerning the ‘tico life’ which is one other method to say they’re very relaxed and humble. I’ve discovered myself stressing about issues I can not management, so dwelling there was such an eye fixed opener.”
As for the long run, her objectives really feel extra strong than ever.
“My future objectives didn’t change one bit, simply that I’d love to go to my host household once more and journey extra all through the world. I imagine finding out overseas has given me an opportunity to broadcast my experiences in hopes others will do it too.”
Last Ideas
Samantha’s last phrases of knowledge for future research overseas members? Make the most of the connections and assist you’ve gotten on-site!
“Don’t be afraid to ask! There’ll at all times be somebody who has your again. Whether or not you’re anxious, homesick, or relations have emergencies, they may show you how to via it. They certain helped me, and I’ll at all times be glad about that.”
Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and research overseas in Costa Rica like Samantha did with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students and pre-professionals research and intern overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes loads of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in realizing you’ll have assist all through your complete expertise overseas.
