Just under four months. Sixteen weeks. It doesn’t seem like a long time. But, time moves differently depending on your perspective.
With just over three weeks left abroad in Costa Rica, I can say I have really found family here. Shortly before coming to Costa Rica, people would ask, “What are you worried about?,” “Are you scared?,” or a series of bizarre what if questions. I gave everyone the same response: “I’m going in with very few expectations. I’m really just excited to be a part of whatever the days are going to bring.”
Despite having clear instructions, videos, and orientation materials conveniently at my fingertips, I genuinely felt as though I wanted to be surprised by what each experience had to offer. Looking back at the past thirteen weeks, I can say I’m happier than ever with my time abroad and appreciative of those I’ve become so close with here.
Through finding your home away from home, you find your family away from family. Reflecting from the semester thus far, I look back on previous weekend trips, excursions with the program, or even just walking around the city with friends. I find myself lost in a maze of memories of incredible times with even more incredible people.
I have a unique perspective on school compared to almost the majority of students at my university abroad. While I am from CU Boulder, a huge state school with classes as big as 400 people, the majority of students in San José are from smaller schools scattered around the country. Although the smaller campus is a bit of a change from my routine of seeing thousands of new faces everyday, it’s a welcome one. I am fortunate to be able to partake in something so personal and unique.
Going abroad is about growing, learning, networking, having dialogue with others around you, and expanding your horizons. I try to actively remind myself daily to continue to take it all in, appreciate where I am now, and stay present. For better or worse, next year will always look different.
The array of diversity in my peers abroad has taught me about culture and the importance of people’s perspectives. Regardless of where you come from, what you study, or what language you speak, we all have more similarities than differences. There’s so much to be learned from each other. By coming together with those whose paths I would have never crossed otherwise, I have made the best memories with the craziest stories to match.
Whether it’s alongside people who I regularly travel with on weekends or those I only see in class, the local ticos or my fellow exchange students, I always immensely enjoy learning together. While being abroad looks different for everyone—those in different cities, in different programs, with different housing situations—the people around us are the glue of great times that hold our memories together.
Alex Zinn is a student at the University of Colorado Boulder and an ISA Featured Blogger. He is studying with ISA in San Jose, Costa Rica.