The time has come when the summer of a lifetime abroad is finally in perfect view. Only less than two short weeks stand between me and San Jose, Costa Rica. If you asked me a week ago, if I felt prepared to embark on this amazing adventure, I would flat out say no. There has been a whirlwind of emotions I've experienced the last few weeks while preparing myself for this adventure abroad. From sad, to happy; nervous to excited, each step of the way has brought a new emotion to deal with in order to mentally and emotionally prepare myself.
The main question I get asked when telling people about my study abroad experience coming up, "why would you go there instead of Europe and Spain?" For me the answer is pretty simple. I want different. Sure Spain is absolutely gorgeous and amazing, but it wasn't the experience abroad I was looking for. I wanted to find a study abroad experience that would challenge me and take me way out of my comfort zone. I want to take risks, jump off cliffs, glide through the canopy of the rain forest and white water raft. The more research I did, the more and more I realized how different San Jose will be than the United States. Finding out I should not walk anywhere after 6pm brought some fear. For a few weeks I questioned if I made the right decision going to Costa Rica, somewhere so different than what I have been used to all of my life.
The more I've thought of leaving West Michigan, all my friends and family this summer I dreaded thinking about leaving for two months. The second I got my housing information, internship placement and orientation details, that all changed! I am lucky enough to be living in a nine bedroom house 5 minutes walking distance from the University. I am extremely excited to meet my host parents, both who have worked on cruise ships, definitely sparked my interest because of the hospitality sector. I also will have three siblings, a dog and three other roommates. Since receiving this information a few weeks ago and talking almost everyday with my roommate about our summer abroad, the majority of my days have been spent planning what cities and countries we are going to visit. The list is too long to even begin explaining. If you would like to find out more about my adventures abroad, please be sure to follow my blog!
Stay tuned for more exciting news!
The main question I get asked when telling people about my study abroad experience coming up, "why would you go there instead of Europe and Spain?" For me the answer is pretty simple. I want different. Sure Spain is absolutely gorgeous and amazing, but it wasn't the experience abroad I was looking for. I wanted to find a study abroad experience that would challenge me and take me way out of my comfort zone. I want to take risks, jump off cliffs, glide through the canopy of the rain forest and white water raft. The more research I did, the more and more I realized how different San Jose will be than the United States. Finding out I should not walk anywhere after 6pm brought some fear. For a few weeks I questioned if I made the right decision going to Costa Rica, somewhere so different than what I have been used to all of my life.
The more I've thought of leaving West Michigan, all my friends and family this summer I dreaded thinking about leaving for two months. The second I got my housing information, internship placement and orientation details, that all changed! I am lucky enough to be living in a nine bedroom house 5 minutes walking distance from the University. I am extremely excited to meet my host parents, both who have worked on cruise ships, definitely sparked my interest because of the hospitality sector. I also will have three siblings, a dog and three other roommates. Since receiving this information a few weeks ago and talking almost everyday with my roommate about our summer abroad, the majority of my days have been spent planning what cities and countries we are going to visit. The list is too long to even begin explaining. If you would like to find out more about my adventures abroad, please be sure to follow my blog!
Stay tuned for more exciting news!