The ISA JournalSuccesses & Challenges While Abroad

As of today, I have spent nearly two months in Costa Rica. Reflecting on my time here, there have been many successes—some smaller than others, but successes nonetheless. I have faced challenges and achieved successes both during my first month taking classes at Universidad Veritas and with my service-learning organization, Parque La Libertad. There were times I felt scared, anxious, nervous, happy, excited, and every emotion in between, but I would do it all over again.

The Successes

Overcoming Initial Travel Anxieties

One of the moments that required perseverance even before I set foot in Costa Rica was purchasing my plane tickets. I had a budget to stick to, and unfortunately, the tickets that best fit my budget were outside the scheduled arrival time that ISA recommended. This meant I would have to find a taxi in a foreign country as soon as I landed and travel by myself with a complete stranger for approximately 40 minutes, which was nerve-wracking.

When I looked up the directions to my homestay on Google, it didn’t show up, which only added to my anxiety. However, I had to accept that I would get there on my own. Then, I received a message from my roommate saying her flight was significantly delayed and she would arrive 30 minutes after my scheduled arrival. I was beyond thrilled. When she arrived, my anxiety disappeared, and I hugged her as if we were the best of friends. In reality, we had only met virtually during our orientation when we found out we were going to be roommates.

Destiny had another plan, and we ended up driving to our homestay together. That was one of the biggest successes that kept me grounded and excited for what was to come from my study abroad trip.

Conquering Public Transportation

Reflecting on one of my major successes on this trip, I feel proud of dominating and feeling comfortable with public transportation. While exploring San Jose, I shared Uber rides with fellow ISA students, which was ideal for my budget. However, as I started my service-learning, I realized that this luxury wouldn’t be feasible for my budget.

On my first day at my service-learning job, Xinia, one of the ISA coordinators, walked my roommate and me through the process of taking public transportation. We had to walk 15 minutes from our homestay to the bus stop and then ride the bus for around 20 minutes. To be fully transparent, the first time I set foot on the bus to my service-learning location, I was ready to call it a day and take an Uber. However, since I had a tight budget, I realized I had to change my perspective.

I reminded myself that if Costa Ricans could do it, so could I. I thought about all the moments that led up to this and asked myself, “What if I was born into a hardworking family in Costa Rica without the luxury of multiple vehicles?” Changing my perspective and putting myself in someone else’s shoes helped me overcome my challenge with public transportation. After my first week taking public transportation, I realized three things: First, I had saved approximately $30. Second, I had integrated myself and created a routine in which I felt confident and comfortable—I felt like a true Costa Rican. And third, I had unlocked the transportation sector of traveling in a different country.

I realized that not many people who travel to other countries immerse themselves fully, so experiencing the transportation side of a country was unique. Adding to this transportation challenge and success was my ability to purchase bus tickets from San Jose to Monteverde, which was approximately a five-hour bus ride. Not only did I overcome the transportation to and from my service-learning location, but I also conquered the ability to take multiple three- to five-hour bus rides to different provinces in Costa Rica. Learning more about public transportation and saving money by not taking Ubers and private shuttles to my final destinations was a significant achievement.

The Challenges

Adapting to a Different Academic Environment

One of the bigger challenges I faced was at Universidad Veritas. Before starting my study abroad program, I was told not to have any expectations because things could go differently. I tried to be open-minded but carried one big picture in my head: I was ready to make friends with local Costa Rican students and possibly tour San Jose with them. My idea was that I would get firsthand insight into what Costa Rica offered. However, this couldn’t have been further from the truth.

On day one at Veritas, I was told I would be the only student in my class and that there might be students joining me later that week, which never happened. The only thing that came close to success during this challenge was meeting a local student with whom I chatted every morning during my first week of class. We would run into each other every morning, but after that first week, she wasn’t at her usual spot, which left me friendless. The upside was that although I couldn’t explore San Jose with Costa Rican locals, I was able to explore Costa Rica with my roommate and other ISA students. We had the opportunity to try several different cafes and restaurants in San Jose, which was amazing.

Navigating Loneliness and Building Connections

While the experience of being the only student in my class was challenging, it taught me resilience and self-reliance. I had to navigate a lot of my time alone, which initially felt isolating. However, this solitude allowed me to reflect on my goals and adapt to my new environment. It pushed me to seek out and build connections outside the classroom, leading to meaningful friendships with other international students. These connections provided a support system and companionship for exploring the vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes of Costa Rica.

Reflections

As I look back on my journey, I am grateful for both the successes and challenges I encountered. Each experience, whether positive or difficult, contributed to my personal growth and understanding of a new culture. The obstacles I faced taught me valuable lessons in adaptability, perseverance, and cultural sensitivity. My time in Costa Rica has been transformative, equipping me with skills and memories that will last a lifetime. I look forward to applying these lessons in my future endeavors, both personal and professional.

Estrella Rivera is a student at California State University Fullerton and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is studying with ISA in San José, Costa Rica.