The Story

So, my life is pretty intense right now.  Just like the circus (haha).  I am going to Costa Rica for the spring semester (I am leaving on December 31) and after that hopefully another summer with the Appalachia Service Project.  So this blog was born out of necessity, so that people can keep up with my life. But for now I will just give you the background on my trip to Costa Rica.


I will be in Costa Rica for almost exactly four months.  I leave December 31, 2010 and come home on May 2, 2011.  I will be attending Universidad Veritas, which is a small college in San Jose (the capital).  There are about 1,100 students studying mostly architecture, art, and Spanish.  Of those 1,100 students, 500 of them are international students.  I will be taking Spanish classes from 8-12 every day, then taking English elective classes in the afternoon/evening.  I won't know for sure what classes I am taking until I get there, so I will keep you posted.


While in CR, I will be living with a hostfamily.  All I know right now is that my contact is Ana.  The family is Catholic, has internet, and doesn't smoke.  I'll also have to keep you updated on all the information that goes along with that.  I do know someone that will be living with me, though! Bridget is going to Costa Rica for an intensive month of Spanish before she heads to Nicaragua in February to do a health internship.  I am REALLY excited to have some in the house that I can lean on and rely on to help me : )  Other than Bridget and I, there is one other girl going to CR.  Her name is Kylie, and she will be there the entire 4 months just like I will be.  


Just some background: San Jose is the largest city in Costa Rica and houses around 1/3 of the country's population.  It is a balmy 77 degrees there pretty much all the time, and because it is in a valley there is rarely need for a/c or heat.  Basically, its just perfect weather.  I will be about a 3 hr bus trip (that costs $5) from the beaches on the west coast of the country.  Costa Rica is beautiful and has so many complex ecosystems and amazing views to see!  The people there are some of the friendliest in the world, and I am excited to learn about and be enveloped in a new culture!


I am very nervous for this part of my life (especially the whole speak Spanish all the time part) but am also very excited.  I know I will miss everyone, but I am determined to enjoy this opportunity while I have it and make the most of every minute!


As they say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida!!!