First Semester vs Second Semester: Studying abroad in Costa Rica.
by Chloe Hannah
When you first get off the plane in a new country and you breathe in the air it seems as if everything is made of anticipation. Everything is new and your minds is blowing by a hundred miles an hour trying to soak everything in.
When I first arrived in Costa Rica I was with a whole new group of people in a whole new country. When everything is new like that every moment feels longer and also ten times faster. Your brain is paying attention to as many details as possible but also very overwhelmed.
When I first met my host mom I was so scared that she would try and talk to me a lot and I wouldn’t understand, but to my surprise, she spoke very slow so I would understand and very little so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. She showed me my room and the Wi-Fi and let me get settled in. My first month in Costa Rica flew by and also crawled. Everything was so interesting and also slightly terrifying.
When I returned to Costa Rica I looked out the window while my plane landed and took a deep breath of relief. It felt like I was meeting an old friend. I was so happy to see the lights of San Jose. My host mom picked me up at the airport and it was as if I had never left. I knew exactly where to go and how to get there. Comparing the beginning of my first semester at LIU and the beginning of my second semester would be like comparing apples and oranges. I look back at that wide-eyed shy kiddo and I just want to ruffle her hair. I am so proud of how I have been able to take in information and incorporate it into my life. I feel very comfortable here and with the program and even though it is college and college is hard there is something to be said for the fact that I am confident in the unknown now and confident in the hectic style of Global Learning.
