Why go to Latin America to study abroad? That was a common question when I told people I chose to go to Costa Rica for my fall semester. Reflecting on what I wanted to do while abroad, I realized I wanted to experience new adventures. Before coming to Costa Rica, no one in my family had been anywhere in Latin America. Pushing myself to go somewhere new had grown full of incredible adventures I would never have had access to if I had not decided to come here. Here are a few:
Hiking and swimming in multiple Waterfalls
In Spanish, the word for waterfall is Cataratas. Some of the most amazing hikes in Costa Rica are its waterfalls. I’ve been to many of the waterfalls in Bajos del Toro, the natural waterslide waterfall in Uvita, and La Fortuna. Waterfalls like the Bajos del Toro and Uvita, we were able to swim under them. It is a surreal experience to swim under waterfalls; you put between the powerfulness and peacefulness of the water. In La Fortuna, we weren’t allowed to swim under the waterfall, but we were allowed to swim in the river right next to it. I feel the most tranquil when I am surrounded by water, and the view of the massive waterfall and the lush green of the forest around us just leaves me in awe of the natural beauty.
Snorkeling and seeing Coral Reefs
I was able to go snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, which is on the Caribbean Coast, right near Puerto Viejo. Before going, I learned how corals are living organisms responsible for much of the coastal ecosystems in my Marine Mammals class. I saw many colorful small fishes, a sting ray, and a shark! We had a local guide who showed my friend and me three different parts of the reef, and we ate fresh fruit after. Pineapple in Costa Rica tastes ten times better, especially after swimming for two hours!
Zip lining the longest zip line in Central America
One of the scariest things I have done was ziplining for the first time. I have ziplined in the past, but something different from what I did in Monte Verde. I did the longest zip line in Central America. We chose to do it in the Superman position; it was crazy; I felt like a bird flying over the forest. At the end, we also had the chance to do the Tarzan swing, where you jump off a platform and free fall until you swing back and forth a few times. I dont think I ever screamed so loud, it made the person behind me almost not go!
Whale watching
I have been taking a Marine Mammals of Costa Rica class, in this class, we have been learning about the environment of marine mammals, how to identify them, the threats they face, and what to do in the event of a stranding. My major has nothing to do with environmental studies or marine science, so it is entirely new! For our field trip, we had a trip to Uvita, where Whales go to give birth. We went whale watching and ended up seeing eight whales. We had to identify the whales we saw, and they were all humpback whales, mothers, and calves. We even got to hop out of the boat and swim in the middle of the ocean, where I saw a whale while in the water. Whales are the largest animals I’ve ever seen, yet they are still graceful. Hearing them take a breath and splash their flukes reminded me of
Wildlife
While traveling around Costa Rica, I have been able to experience a great deal of its natural world and biodiversity. In Manuel Antonio National Park, I saw howler monkeys, sloths, hermit crabs, and insects, such as snakes, hummingbirds, and iguanas. My program hired a naturalist guide with a sixth sense for finding animals. He had this huge telescope and would find the tiniest spider I could ever pick up on. In Uvita, on top of the insane experience of seeing eight humpback whales, we saw beautiful macaws flying. I but not least for another class field trip I got to go to a Turtle Resue in Cahuita and see baby turtles being released into the ocean.
Living with a host family
Living with a host family has genuinely shaped my study abroad experience for the better. I live with my host mom, Mama Tica, and my host sister. They are so warm and welcoming, I get to practice my Spanish and they help me when I get stuck. They also make me breakfast and dinner; I get to eat the typical Costa Rican food, usually a Casado. Which is rice, beans, a salad, plantains, and a protein. In my case, it is without meat because I am vegetarian. Some of my other favorite dishes while here are ceviche and Gallo pinto.
Katie O. is a double major in Psychology and Studio Art: Graphic Design with a minor in and is studying abroad at Universidad Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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