First Month of Classes

This week hasn’t all been beaches and tropical vistas. During the last four weeks we’ve been completing a 3-credit-hour orientation class made up of three sections: Writing, Costa Rican Culture and History.

Through these classes I have learned a lot in a short amount of time. I now feel like I have a general understanding of Costa Rican history, which has made my excursions more meaningful. For example, learning about Costa Rica’s history as a banana republic (and learning what a banana republic is in the first place) made me look differently at the miles of banana plantations we passed on our way through Limón. From studying the Costa Rican constitution of 1949 I gained an understanding for how social programs like universal health care, access to electricity and potable water were initiated.

One of the most interesting things I learned in this history class is how Costa Rica is able to conserve so much of its natural beauty and biodiversity. Article 50 in their constitution protects the people’s right to a “healthy and ecologically balanced environment.”

“the State shall procure the greatest welfare of all inhabitants of the country, organizing and promoting production and the most adequate distribution of wealth.
Every person has the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, being therefore entitled to denounce any acts that may infringe said right and claim redress for the damage caused.
The State shall guarantee, defend and preserve that right. The Law shall establish the appropriate responsibilities and penalties.”

This is just one of several examples where I think the U.S. could take some inspiration from what makes this Latin American country so great.

In my culture class we’ve had a few days of excursions out to the center of San José. The first day we saw many museums, some of the government buildings, and lots of statues and parks.

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On our second outing we visited the Mercado Central, a traditional market with artisanal handicrafts, fruits, seasoning, jewelry, clothes, and basically anything you can think of. We also went to a restaurant to try the classic Costa Rican tortillas.

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We had most of our classes in the same room in the language building of the university. I won’t lie, the classes got pretty hard at times. Reading academic essays in English is difficult, reading them in Spanish is a whole new level of confusion. The same applies for grammar and essay writing. But, at last, we made it through.

To celebrate the end of our orientation classes the Grupo de Kansas coordinators took us to Cartago to see the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (aka la Virgen de Los Angeles) and then to some natural hot springs in the mountains.

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After going to the Basilica we stopped to get some popsicles. I got natilla con fresa, which was basically like strawberries and cream.

Then we got back in the van and headed up to Hacienda Orosi. When we walked up to the hot springs, the whole thing seemed impossibly beautiful. We could see so far across the mountains and down into the city, and there was nothing blocking our view from the hot spring pools, which themselves were surrounded by rocks and plants that made them fit right in. The pools ranged in temperature from 96 to 102 degrees and were heated by water from a natural hot spring nearby which is too hot to bathe in alone without being combined with colder freshwater.

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We hopped from pool to pool (my favorite was the 98 degree one) for about two hours and then ate a delicious dinner which included fried fish, rice and beans, handmade corn tortillas and fried plantains (seasoned with cardamom!)

By the time we got back in the van to go home we were all relaxed, full and happy. Ready to enjoy our last weekend before we started classes again.

While most weekends so far had been booked with pre-planned activities or homework, this last one was completely free. On Saturday we decided to go to the movies. Prompted by one member of the Grupo de Kansas who’s a fan, we saw a documentary about the Korean pop band BTS. Even though I knew almost nothing about them, I really enjoyed it! I got to learn a little something new and I was proud of myself for how much I understood from the Spanish subtitles. I’m hoping to make going to the movies a more frequent trip, especially since these tickets were only $5 each. I hear another theater in town even has a 2 for 1 special on Wednesdays! I also treated myself to some mango in a cup with salt and lime.

Our culture professor had invited us to her house for a mother’s day celebration (mother’s day is August 15th here), so we headed there for lunch on Sunday. We ate a feast of arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), a picadillo de chayote (a diced squash-like vegetable), salad, and chips with avocado and refried beans. I also tried a new beverage, a beet-infused orange juice.

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We had a great time at the house. We socialized, played scrabble, and made new friends. If it seems out-of the ordinary that a professor would invite us to her house for a family gathering, it proves to me something I’ve noticed about Costa Rican culture. Ticos are incredibly generous and welcoming. So many people I’ve met here, from extended family to friends of my mom and host-moms have warmly told me “come over anytime!” Here, they seem to really mean it and I am so grateful for their goodwill.

This week I start “real” classes with the regular UCR students. Here’s hoping they’re as friendly as everyone I’ve met so far!