Jolina’s Summer season Overseas in San José
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Desirous to step into the footsteps of a faculty scholar who studied overseas in Costa Rica? We lately caught up with AIFS research overseas program participant and FEA Recipient Grant awardee Jolina. She’s a nursing scholar from California State College, Chico who spent her summer season break learning overseas within the sunny metropolis of San José.
Learn on to study extra about Jolina’s research overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas and the affect of being a world scholar in San José.
Why Research Overseas in San José?
Jolina was interested in San José due to its lush pure landscapes, sustainability initiatives, and since Spanish is the official language of the nation. Under, she explains that she selected to review overseas there so she might study medical Spanish for her nursing profession:
“I’ve labored at hospitals the place there may be restricted entry to translation companies, and I’ve seen how language obstacles pose important challenges in healthcare. Sufferers could battle to precisely describe their signs or perceive their analysis and therapy. It is very important ship equitable and culturally delicate care to all sufferers, whatever the language they communicate. I got here to Costa Rica with the intention of studying medical Spanish and enhancing my earlier data of Spanish.”
Language Studying
Whereas there are lots of non-language studying program choices that AIFS Overseas affords, some college students, like Jolina, use their research overseas alternative to study a brand new language or construct on their present language abilities. Jolina explains how learning in Costa Rica has helped her enhance her medical Spanish:
“At Universidad Veritas, I took an intermediate Spanish class for healthcare professionals. At school, we coated very important indicators, charting, signs, procedures, and suggestions. Throughout these 4 weeks, my Spanish improved tremendously. Since there was just one different scholar in my class, one-on-one assist was obtainable every time wanted.”
Cultural Studying
One of many biggest advantages of learning overseas is having the chance to fully immerse your self in a brand new tradition and construct a world perspective. Jolina describes how learning overseas opened her eyes to the “pura vida” way of life:
“Ticos (native Costa Ricans) prioritize the ‘pura vida’ way of life, that means they reside a ‘pure life.’ The ‘pura vida’ lifestyle focuses on discovering stability and residing modestly. It additionally entails robust connections with mates, household, and the neighborhood. Along with the ‘pura vida’ mindset, Ticos comply with a nutritious diet, an energetic way of life, and stress-reduction practices. This was attention-grabbing to study, and I adopted this cultural angle whereas right here. It’s wonderful how the Ticos prioritize a balanced, constructive mindset.”
Making Associates Overseas
Most individuals who go overseas fear about making mates at their research overseas vacation spot, whereas others select to review overseas with mates from dwelling. It may be tempting to carry off making use of till a buddy is able to go together with you, however as Jolina explains, AIFS Overseas helps you make mates as quickly as you arrive at your overseas vacation spot:
“Probably the most invaluable facets of this system was the way it fostered a way of inclusivity and neighborhood, particularly throughout these first days after we have been all adjusting to a brand new atmosphere and nonetheless shy about assembly new individuals. AIFS made certain to create alternatives for everybody to bond proper from the beginning, and this performed a big position in serving to me join with others and construct lasting friendships. AIFS helped break the ice by a sequence of group actions that inspired us to work together and get to know one another higher. On the very first day, all of us participated in a metropolis tour of San José, which was not solely a enjoyable solution to discover our new environment, but additionally a possibility to share our private backgrounds and tales. That preliminary shared expertise of being in an unfamiliar place created a way of camaraderie that set the tone for the remainder of the journey.”
As you’ll hear from Jolina, all AIFS Overseas applications embrace group excursions, that are a good way to discover native landscapes whereas attending to know different program members:
“This system additionally organized common group excursions, which have been designed not solely to immerse us in Costa Rican tradition but additionally to encourage additional bonding. Whether or not we have been mountain climbing by rainforests, visiting volcanoes, or enjoyable on stunning seashores, these group actions gave us all an opportunity to spend time collectively exterior of the classroom, away from our regular routines. I bear in mind how, over time, the group dynamic modified from preliminary awkwardness to straightforward, comfy friendships. I started to really feel like I used to be a part of one thing greater than only a research overseas program—it was as if we had all develop into a brief household, navigating a brand new tradition collectively. Right this moment, we nonetheless keep in contact recurrently, and I can genuinely say that we grew shut by sharing meals, experiences, and learning overseas collectively.”
Development Via Training Overseas
There’s no scarcity of development that occurs while you research or intern overseas. Whether or not you select to review overseas for a summer season like Jolina or do a longer-term fall or spring semester program, you’ll see an immense change in your self. Research overseas college students like Jolina persistently report how learning overseas helped them with private development—many describing it as a transformative expertise:
“Finding out overseas with AIFS was an extremely transformative expertise, not simply academically, but additionally personally… It pushed me out of my consolation zone in methods I hadn’t anticipated. I had no selection however to place myself on the market, to step into social conditions the place I didn’t at all times know somebody and wasn’t certain how I would slot in. This problem turned a possibility for development. I discovered the best way to be extra open and approachable, the best way to have interaction in conversations with individuals I would by no means have met in any other case, and the best way to be susceptible in sharing my very own ideas and experiences. In consequence, I not solely made new mates but additionally grew in confidence and self-awareness.”
Touring Sustainably in San José
Many People depend on a automobile to get round. Fortuitously, research overseas college students are sometimes shocked how straightforward it to journey inside their new metropolis through public transportation choices or discovering that they’ll stroll to most locations. Jolina loved how environmentally acutely aware Costa Rica was and the way this was mirrored in every part, together with metropolis planning and native transportation:
“Town itself was extremely walkable, which made it straightforward to cut back my carbon footprint. My college was only a 15-minute stroll away, and the closest grocery retailer was conveniently situated across the nook, making it easy to reside an eco-friendly way of life with out the necessity for a automobile. I discovered myself strolling all over the place, whether or not it was for errands, meals, or exploring town, which not solely helped me keep energetic but additionally aligned with the nation’s emphasis on sustainability. Once we did want to make use of transportation by the AIFS program, we made certain to prioritize sustainable choices. For instance, we used buses for our excursions, which helped decrease our environmental affect. Public transportation is a good way to cut back reliance on automobiles, and I appreciated how this system inspired us to participate on this sustainable apply.”
Navigating Dietary Restrictions Overseas
Though making an attempt native delicacies is seen as a advantage of learning overseas for many individuals, those that battle with varied dietary restrictions could also be involved about how their dietary well being can be impacted in the event that they resolve to go overseas. Hear about how Jolina managed her gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD) and lactose intolerance in San José:
“Once I first began my research overseas program, I used to be a bit involved about managing my dietary restrictions. Nevertheless, my expertise in Costa Rica rapidly reassured me that my dietary wants wouldn’t intrude with my overseas expertise. From the very starting, my host mother was extremely thoughtful of my lactose intolerance and made certain to accommodate my wants at each meal. Moreover, regardless of my GERD and frequent abdomen aches again dwelling, I discovered that the recent, entire meals in Costa Rica have been a lot gentler on my abdomen. I didn’t expertise the digestive points I typically confronted within the U.S. The truth is, my intestine well being was considerably higher throughout my time overseas, as Costa Ricans prioritize wholesome consuming and preventative well being practices. In the long run, I discovered that having dietary restrictions doesn’t need to restrict your research overseas expertise. The truth is, it will probably open doorways to new meals experiences and encourage you to discover more healthy, extra conscious consuming habits.”
Primarily based on Jolina’s expertise, dietary restrictions generally is a cause, not a barrier, to review overseas!
Housing
AIFS Overseas affords a variety of housing choices at every of our research overseas locations. Typical choices can embrace shared residences, scholar residences/dorms, and residing with a native household in a homestay. Jolina selected to reside in a homestay with two locals. She explains that (like many different research overseas college students), she was nervous about what it could be like and the way she’d get alongside together with her host household. Examine how Jolina’s host mother and father welcomed her into their dwelling and helped Jolina immerse herself within the native tradition:
“At first, I used to be nervous to stick with my host household. Nevertheless, I knew that staying with a bunch household was one of the simplest ways to [experience] Tico tradition. My worries subsided as quickly as I met my host mother and father, Marta and Fausto. Marta and Fausto have been host mother and father for over 30 years and instantly made me really feel comfy upon arrival. On daily basis, Marta ready breakfast and dinner and sat down with me throughout meals to apply my Spanish. I sat with Fausto throughout fútbol matches and conversed concerning the tradition in Costa Rica. Having a bunch household allowed me to totally immerse myself in Costa Rican tradition. I loved making an attempt conventional Costa Rican dishes and studying about Tico tradition from locals.”
Along with her host mother and father, Jolina discovered all the San José locals she encountered to be extremely form and welcoming:
“From the second I set foot in San José, I felt welcomed by the heat and friendliness of the locals.”
Day Journeys and Actions
Each AIFS Overseas program consists of social and cultural actions, in addition to excursions. Along with these AIFS-sponsored actions, you’re welcome to set out by yourself, or with mates, and discover every part your vacation spot overseas has to supply.
“In my free time, I explored exterior of San José with my research overseas group. A few of my journeys included the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Sarapiqui, and La Fortuna. I ziplined the longest zipline in Latin America, went white water rafting, and went on an evening hike. On the Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio [national parks I saw] sloths, monkeys, and toucans up shut. The mix of gorgeous landscapes, wildlife, outside actions, and Tico hospitality elevated my expertise in Costa Rica.”
Last Ideas
Jolina sums her research overseas expertise in San José with these ultimate ideas:
“Finding out in Costa Rica not solely improved my Spanish, nevertheless it helped change my perspective on holistic well being and the significance of a constructive mindset and well-being. With this expertise, I hope to successfully talk with Spanish-speaking sufferers, present culturally delicate care, and finally enhance affected person outcomes. I’m eternally grateful for all the donors that contribute to experiences overseas. Via this expertise, I’m now in a position to additional my nursing profession and skillset and finally advocate for Spanish-speaking sufferers.”
Are you a scholar who’s able to take the leap and research overseas like Jolina did in San José? We’d love that will help 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 applications are extremely inclusive, which takes lots 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 workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have assist all through your complete expertise overseas.
