I have been keeping in touch with Tammy through snail mail (we vowed against Facebook, email, etc.) since the end of 10th grade. She says I am the only one that maintained communication out of her school friends.
Knowing Tammy, not seeing her for about 5 years, and having a friend in the country were very big reasons why I chose Costa Rica. Unfortunately, the only Costa Rica option, which was through IES, that was available left mid-August. Being asked to be a bridesmaid in Sarah’s wedding on Sept 4, I wanted to make sure I was in the United States to be a part of that big day (Can't I do both?!). So I thought I was going to Spain because of the later dates even though I didn’t want to because I didn’t want a place where night life was so predominant. So oh well, Spain here I come I'm sure it will still be great....
The day I walked into the Study Abroad Office on the St. Thomas campus in St. Paul, I was walking in to tell them I decided to study abroad in Spain. However, I had to wait a few minutes in the lobby. I saw a different Costa Rica packet right under my nose, looked at the pictures, the classes offered, and saw the dates (end of Sept!!) and changed my decision in about 30 seconds. I was called in the office and told her I wanted Costa Rica. Done and done!
Apparently this is the very first semester they have offered this program, AIFS Costa Rica. It was so new, I saw the very first advertisement for it, was the first person to petition to go, and the first and only person to live it.
Costa Rica has proven to be a very great place for me. I recently found a quote about listening to your intuition and it goes like this:
If it does not feel right inside of you… if there a gut feeling within you… if you do not feel passionate inside… if it doesn’t sit with who you truly are… then ask yourself – “should I actually be doing it”
Costa Rica so far has felt, for me, every sense of right. I am enjoying the places, the things, and most importantly the people. I have a good gut feeling, I feel passionate and I feel that it sits with who I truly am. I am so happy for this experience.
