Costa Rica = Pura Vida

Coming to Costa Rica was such an enriching experience. Coming from the US, I'll admit I felt a little bit ethnocentric at first. Since we were on a global media trip, I didn't think we needed to know Spanish and was a little bummed when our host famies spoke barely any English. This situation ended up being a great thing for me. What I've learned is that even if you are not fluent with Spanish, you can still communicate. All you have to do is listen and pay attention. One trick I've learned is not to try to catch every word. Do what you can to understand a story, question, or answer and you'll get the gist. It's important not to get down on yourself or say that you can't do it.

That being said, try new things in Costa Rica. There are so many things to do and explore. My favorite part was white water rafting through the jungle. I've never seen anything more beautiful. Another great experience was bungee jumping. There is a great place called Tropical Bungee in San Jose that offers a 265 foot drop. If there is ever an opportunity to go here, do it. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things in Costa Rica.

Jessica Peterson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln