The first adjustment:  nearly everyone spoke English to me at the San José airport.  Like some of the more tourist-oriented towns, the prices switched to dollars.  While I understood when the airport staff converted to the prices to colones, I still wondered why they said "thousand" instead of "mil" for the amount. 

The size of a movie poster at the Dallas airport threw me off, too.  Being able to understand every single word around me – whether I wanted to or not – overwhelmed me.  While I understand quite a bit of Spanish, I can still screen out the meaning if I'm not concentrating on the person speaking.  

At times, I've found adjusting back to the United States to be more difficult because I expect it to feel more familiar.  After all, I'm home.  I've missed this place and the people.  Why then, am I wishing that I could walk to the park in Heredia?  Or that I could walk through the door and see the smiling faces of the customer service staff at Intercultura?  It even feels strange not to be a foreigner anymore.

Now that I'm back in San Diego and still have fresh memories, let's rewind back to the final Friday.  Graduation, a ceremony done for all departing students, was sweet.  Since it was the end of the semester, there were several heartfelt goodbyes for students who had been there for several months.  Everyone gave a short speech, thanking the school's staff for their time.  It felt a bit unreal.  Several weeks ago, it felt like I had all the time in the world.  At that moment, however, the time was slipping away. 

After graduation and before my final afternoon class, I explored the stalls of Christmas market at the local park with a new friend.  Artisans and retailers alike had their wares displayed, everything from jewelry to bubble wands.  We bought some jewelry, then my friend realized that I hadn't been to a local bakery chain.  "You must have this experience before leaving Costa Rica," she said, and I tried something that resembled a danish with guanabana jelly and cream cheese. 

In my class that afternoon, we watched a movie, La Lengua de Mariposas (simply titled "Butterfly" en Inglés).  It was the first time I had watched a movie with Spanish subtitles.  I was amazed with how much I could understand.  The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn – more vocabulary, more time to practice and implement what I have gained within these past few weeks.  The movie was sweet, sad, and profound.  We discussed the film, and then wrapped up our class with several parting activities.

"…Que tenga más confianza, y esté mas feliz.  Que le vaya bien" were some of the parting wishes of the teachers and staff.  I took a few last pictures, lingering for a moment on details of the school setting:  the decoraciónes navideñas, the flowers in the courtyard in the last light of the day, and the welcoming lobby of the school. 

I took a deep breath, then walked the blocks back to la casa for a final time.  For all the challenges I have faced throughout this experience, I truly believe that it has been worth it.  I have not only grown as a person, but I have also realized how much I want Spanish to continue to have a place in my life.  I truly love the language, and I am certain that it will open up doors for me both personally and professionally.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend taking yourself out of the context of your own culture and language.  Whether you have two weeks, a month, or several, it can be the experience of a lifetime.

¡Pura Vida y Adiós! 

Read all of Jennie's blogs from Heredia

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By Guest Blogger Johanna G., Heredia Junior Immersion program participant

In this video, Johanna videotapes a tour guide at a local museum discussing the mystery of "Las Spheras", or "the spheres" that were found in the area long ago. As you can tell, the tour guide is very knowledgable and entertaining! AmeriSpan's Teen programs abroad offer plenty of fun and educational opportunities for teens to take advantage of in their free time between classes!

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By Bradley R., guest blogger studying Spanish in Heredia and Samara Beach, two of AmeriSpan's most popular Costa Rica Spanish schools

The food in Costa Rica isn't particularly revolutionary, although I enjoy it greatly.  As one might expect of any Latin country, the most common staple is rice, with black beans as a close second.  Nearly every meal, breakfast to dinner, includes at least a small portion of each.

The typical breakfast is often called Gallo Pinto, although technically Gallo Pinto refers to the black beans and rice with added flavorings that is omnipresent here.  It can be served with everything from eggs and sausage or bacon to pancakes, french toast, or tortillas–as long as they are fried.  Fresh fruit and juices are almost always a part of breakfast, especially at home, and there is a stupefying selection of fruits and juices that are readily available and delicious.  Possibly most important to Gallo Pinto is the addition of a Costa Rican sauce, Salsa Lizano, that is somewhat like ketchup but with chiles rather than tomatoes.  It is not spicy, and available at every restaurant.  The author of my guide book reported a popular saying in Central America along the lines of "Where there are Costa Ricans, there is freedom"–this due to the country's history of stable government and lack of a military–and compared it to the slogan of the Lizano company, "Where there are Costa Ricans, there is Salsa Lizano."  He quipped that he found these two sayings to be equally true, and I agree.

The normal lunch for many Ticos, especially those working outside of the home, is a Casado, which is a platter available in the local form of a greasy spoon restaurant, called a Soda. It includes rice and beans, three or four small sides, fresh juice, and a choice of beef, pork, chicken, fish, or vegetables as the primary dish.  All of them are fried.  I have found Casados to be uniformly delicious, if uninspiring.  The common sides include french fries, potatoes, fried yucca, shredded cabbage and carrots, beet salad, fried squash, lettuce salad, and a second helping of beans.  The going rate is $5 in very busy areas, and $4 off the beaten path, and at either price a huge amount of food and a great deal.

Dinner seems to vary much more than the earlier meals, but is almost sure to include rice and/or tortillas.  My host family has yet to serve me something a second time, making it difficult to identify any further trends, so instead I will just name a few spectacular dinners that stick out: spaghetti and tomato sauce topped with an unheated sauce of oil, fresh tomatos, and a ton of garlic; hamburgers whose patties were made with a number of vegetables and spices, and which were topped off with bacon, avocado, a fried egg, and Salsa Lizano; black bean soup with fried eggs, plantains, and a large chunk of a vegetable that had the texture of a beet and the flavor of a slightly sweetened potato, but which was neither beet nor potato (with rice of course); and lastly Gallo Pinto with a shredded cabbage, beet, and tomato salad, topped with spicy sausage and served with quail eggs.

Lastly, I would like to make special mention of the Empanada de Chiverre, which is a small, unfrosted turnover filled with the fruit Chiverre.  It is popular during holy week.  My google search informs me that it is similar to spaghetti squash, but this seems dubious. The flavor is most similar to that of a date or a fig, with a similar texture.  Regardless, try one.

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By Jennie M., guest blogger learning Spanish in Heredia, Costa Rica

After three weeks of intensive Spanish classes, I needed a weekend away from Heredia.  Where would I go?  I had been to the rainforest, and taken day trips to San José and the surrounding area.  Then it hit me:  I hadn't yet been to a beach while in Costa Rica, and this was my last chance this time around.  When I heard that that week's tour group was heading to Montezuma, I packed a bag and headed off for a weekend of relaxation and fun. 

Montezuma is located near the southern tip of the Nicoya Penisula on the Pacific Coast.  We took a beautiful ferry ride across the Golfo de Nicoya from Puntarenas (a little less than two hours west of Heredia), and then drove the rest of the way through the forest to Montezuma.

When I arrived at the hotel, I knew I had made the right decision.  Our hotel was located right on the beach, and there were hammocks suspended between the trees.

We quickly dropped off our luggage and took a hike to a nearby waterfall.  We had to cross the creek, scrambling over rocks.  Tall trees rose above either side. The waterfall itself was well worth the climb.  We swam in the refreshing water, then made our way back down.  

That night, the sky was completely clear and we could see the stars.  After spending so much time in cities, it was wonderful to be somewhat removed. 

The next day, it was incredible to wake up to the sound of the waves against the beach.  We caught a boat to Isla Tortuga for an amazing day of snorkeling and spending time at the beach.  Although the water was somewhat cloudy, I saw several different kinds of colorful fish.
 
The water near the island was the beautiful color of turquesa.  After lunch on the island, I spent more time in the water, enjoying the mild temperature.  I looked over at the rocks, and watched crabs scuttle back and forth.  It was an invigorating and relaxing day. 

Montezuma is small town.  It includes two main beaches, a central park, restaurants, hotels, shops, and one ATM.  What I have discovered about popular tourist locations in Costa Rica is that you often have to insist on speaking Spanish. The staff at the shops and restaurants are accustomed to catering to English-speaking tourists.  They don't always ask what language you would prefer to speak, so it is almost too easy to fall back on English.  I was glad that our guide talked to us mostly in Spanish and encouraged us to answer his questions in kind. 

On Sunday morning, I got up early in hopes of seeing monkeys (monos).   I was rewarded not only by the sight of monkeys, but also a beautiful sunrise. In terms of monkeys, I found several hanging out around a bus stop. There were even a few mothers with their babies.  After swinging through the trees, they scrambled across the the power lines before disappearing from sight.  After breakfast, I took a walk with a friend and came across even more. They were hanging out around a restaurant, swinging through the trees and begging the patrons for food.

After watching the monkeys argue over food for awhile, I needed more time by the beach.  I spread out my towel on the Playa Grande and ran into the waves. 

After I packed to head back to Heredia, I spent the last few minutes in the hammock, rocking back and forth.  The weekend was a perfect break.  I returned from the trip ready to tackle my last week of classes with a clearer mind. 

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 See all of Johanna G.'s video blogs

See AmeriSpan's Heredia Junior Immersion

See all of Johanna G.'s video blogs

See AmeriSpan's Heredia Junior Immersion

By Jennie M., guest blogger studying Spanish in Heredia, Costa Rica

Since my Mama Tica is also the cooking teacher at school, I have had a variety of delicious meals.  At home, she doesn't always cook comida tipica.  I have had everything from spaghetti with marinara sauce to the traditional gallo pinto.  Rice and beans are a common staple of Costa Rican food.  For lunch, I often go to a local soda – a small restaurant – for a casado.  A casado often includes rice, beans, meat (or cheese if you prefer), with vegetables.  Platanos (or plantains) are a common side.  One of the first lessons I learned with food in the markets was not to confuse platanos with bananas, as they look quite similar.  In Costa Rica, bananas are smaller.

No matter where you choose to study, I highly recommend taking advantage of the extracurricular activities that your school offers.  Extracurricular activities are a great way to get integrated into the school and the culture of your host country.  They are also a great way to learn the language in a different context.  I always look forward to both the cooking class and dance classes each week. 

For the cooking classes at school, I have had the opportunity to sample additional delicious Costa Rican dishes.  The teacher always begins by handing out recetas – recipes – for that week's meal, which include a list of helpful vocabulary words, from ingredients to cooking utensils. 
 
During one of the Wednesday cooking classes, I helped make Chayotitos a la Crema.  Chayotes are  vegetables that look somewhat like a green squished baseball in their raw form (see market picture).  The other ingredients:  Flour (harina), butter (mantequilla), garlic (ajo), 1 onion (cebolla), 2 egg yolks (yemas de huevo).  The final result, after much peeling, cutting, and cooking, was absolutely delicious when served with rice. 
 
It's one thing to go to the various restaurants in Heredia, but another completely to taste some of the delicious home cooked meals of Costa Rica. Exploring the food of another country can be one of the richest parts of your study abroad experience.  I encourage you to go out and explore the markets and bakeries, and sample foods you've never heard of.  You may be pleasantly surprised. 

Picture 1:  Fruits and Vegetables at street market
Picture 2:  Me with Jeannette, the cooking teacher at school

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By Jennie M., guest blogger studying Spanish in Heredia, Costa Rica

My day begins with a plate of fruit for desayuno.  The fruits generally include papaya, pineapple, mango, and watermelon.  I've really enjoyed having fresh fruit for breakfast each morning.  The dish that accompanies my fruit plate varies from day to day – my meals have included gallo pinto, an avocado sandwich, or even cereal on occasion.

After breakfast, I generally finish getting ready, and if I have classes in the morning, I head off to school.  The classes consist of four hours of lessons.  Before I came to Costa Rica, I didn't anticipate how much material could fit into a four hour lesson.  Intercultura's approach is very hands-on -  I have done everything from identifying new vocabulary words in songs, to computer programs to group discussions about daily routines.  I have not been bored yet.  The teachers are incredibly patient and creative.  I may not be dreaming in Spanish yet, but I am certainly more comfortable with the language.

I usually grab a casado for lunch.  A casado is a traditional Costa Rican dish that includes a plate of rice, beans, and meat (I usually opt for pescado, but you can also request queso). After lunch, I often participate in a Latin dance class.  I have learned the basic steps for salsa and bachata.  The hardest part for me?  Learning not to lead.  It´s great exercise, and I love it when I get into the rhythm of the steps.  After each dance class, I feel more refreshed and ready to take on the rest of my day.

After dance class, I sometimes take walks through the neighborhood around the school, to the central   market the park located next to the market.  This particular parque has stone sculptures by a local artist.  While I have never seen him in person, he comes to the park to work on his pieces.   

Walking through the streets of Heredia takes a certain amount of skill and awareness.  I generally follow the cues of the Ticos around me.  The cars rarely wait for pedestrians.   While there are stop signs and a few stop lights, there are no official cross walks in the area. 

Before and after dinner, there's generally homework to do.  My homework assignments generally include practicing concepts from the day's lesson.  One particularly useful assignment was summarizing news stories about murders and accidents in order to practice the past tenses: preterito y imperfecto. 

Dinner – la cena – is usually a group occasion.  Sometimes there are only three of us at the table, and at other times, my Mama Tica's sons, who live in San José, will join us.  My Mama Tica has room for four students at a time, so I have gotten the chance to meet other students from the United States and Australia. 

After dinner, I help with drying the dishes.  This part of my routine has become very methodical and relaxing for me. My Mama Tica and I regularly exchange our thanks:  "Gracias por ayduarme," she will say, and I will respond with "Gracias por la cena."

Then, I finish la tarea and reward myself by reading a book (in English) before going to bed.  A day full of Spanish language immersion can be exhausting, but vale la pena!

Pictures:  1. Breakfast Fruit Plate  2.  Sculpture in park

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By Bradley R., guest blogger studying Spanish in Heredia and Samara Beach, two of AmeriSpan's most popular Costa Rica Spanish schools

The best-known and most popular activity is called a canopy tour by locals.  It requires one to don a climber’s harness so that the guides can attach you to a long cable via a set of carabiners and a slide grouping with a wheel.  The cables are strung high above the ground in the uppermost reaches of the jungle canopy, and you are pushed out from one tree stand to race down to the other, zip-line style.  The cables are up to 50 meters above the ground and more than 500 meters in length, and speeds of up to 50 miles per hour can be reached.  Nearly every company attempts to cross as many river valleys
as possible: the height of the canopy experience is when you push off through a thick canopy, pick up speed, and burst into an open valley whose floor plunges precipitously below you, sometimes facing sideways or backwards.  Companies may offer the possibility of gliding upside down, or with a partner to hold your legs so you can fly superman-style.
 
Although not actually an adventure tour—strictly speaking—waterfall chasing is a popular pastime with foreigners and locals alike.  For the more daring, this translates quickly into jumping from waterfalls into the pools below, which I got the chance to experience at Montezuma Beach.  From a road just South of town, I hiked about 45 minutes up the river, hopping from rock to exposed rock made available by the low tide and scant rain the previous week.  The first set of falls I came to were quite nice, about 25 meters high, but with rocks at the bottom, thereby precluding all but the most suicidal of jumpers.  From there, I scrambled up a very steep hillside that would have been impossible to climb except for the abundance of tree roots jutting out of the dirt, which made the perfect handholds. From the top it was a short walk to the 2nd and 3rd waterfalls.  The uppermost one was the most popular, with rock ledges ranging from 2 to 5 meters—it also had a long rope swing, for those like myself with Tarzan-like inclinations.  While a group of us was swimming and jumping around these upper falls, I watched as a young guy approached the lower of the two and then hopped over the edge without hesitating even a moment.  I was shocked, because at the low water levels, the jump was about 50 feet—I later read online a similar measurement of about 18 meters—and while I had assumed that people had jumped it, I certainly didn’t imagine I would see it.  To my further amazement, his friend followed him in the same manner, while I was content to watch.

ATVs can be found for rental throughout Costa Rica, and they are a fun and efficient method of transportation on roads that can be extremely rough, steep, and wet.  They can maneuver around trees, boulders, and others obstacles that would make a road or path impassable even for SUVs.  The day that I rented a quadra, as ATVs are known here, was probably the best that I’ve had in country.  I used it to explore Malpais, which is a series of beaches on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula.  There were astonishing views of the region from the tops of the inland hills, and the frontage trails along the
beaches were just jarring enough to be challenging and exhilarating, but not too rough so as to buck me from the vehicle.  The highlight was when the trail gave out and seemed to point me onto the beach proper, which directions I readily gave into.  Soon I was cruising across the sand at 60 miles per hour, splashing through the surf, and entirely alone except for a few groups of large carrion birds that looked like vultures, munching on the remains of dead turtles too heavy to carry away.  The pictures that I took of vacant beaches stretching for miles into the distance hardly convey the uniqueness of the situation.  The only drawback to this form of travel was the dirt that was thrown into the air by other passing vehicles, which by the end of the day had rendered my teeth covered with a thick, choking grime.  I suppose I could have resolved this issue by purchasing a bandana to cover my mouth like other people I saw along the most busy beach, but I am far too stubborn for that.

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