Costa Rica offers language, life lessons to SCC study-abroad students
colleges, studied in Costa Rica last summer.
Shoreline Community College is a regional leader in providing international education opportunities for students. The college offers a variety of study abroad programs of differing lengths, fields of study and locations around the globe, including London; Paris; Florence, Italy; Jamaica; and Costa Rica.
This summer, three Shoreline students pursued their dreams of studying intensive Spanish and exploring beautiful Costa Rica through a seven-week program sponsored by the Washington Consortium for Study Abroad. Students from 14 community colleges throughout Washington participate. Adrienne Boland and Tasia Fisher, second-year Shoreline students, participated in the Summer 2003 program.
“It is so difficult to put the experience into words,” stated Boland. “The feel of the warm humid air as it envelopes you … the stunning scenery and amazing plant and animal life… the friendly people and laid-back atmosphere … It was so different from anything I’d experienced. It was comforting and exciting at the same time”.
Fisher joined in: “The language school site was just amazing mango trees, coconut trees, and guava trees right on the grounds. We could pick the fruit and eat it. The classrooms were small cabanas, and hammocks hung between the trees. The teachers were very personable and really funny they made learning fun. We listened to local music to learn new vocabulary and played lots of games in Spanish. The small cafeteria served basic but delicious food. For about $2 we got a plate of rice, beans, meat and cabbage salad.”
“I loved the Spanish classes,” added Boland. “It was great to be able to take what we learned at school and use it immediately when we arrived home [with our host families].”
When asked for advice for future students, both agreed: “Take at least Spanish 101 before you go so you have a basic level of Spanish knowledge.”
When probed for their coolest experiences, Boland and Fisher talked of their weekend adventures to various beach towns and other places of natural beauty like the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Boland and Fisher chose to stay in the same home, and both noted that the host family was patient and welcoming. Extended family and neighbors often visited or shared meals.
“I came away with the realization that we have so much in the U.S. and that we take it for granted and just want more,” stated Boland. “I experienced how important family and friends are, and how focused Americans are on material things rather than relationships. We just don’t need so much stuff to have happy lives.”
Fisher added a final note: “I want to tell students, if you’ve ever dreamed of going to Costa Rica, stop thinking about it and just do it. Start saving money, start looking for scholarships, start planning and go.”
For more information about Shoreline’s study-abroad programs, check out the Web site http://www.international.shoreline.ctc.edu/ and call 533-6676 to schedule an appointment. Brochures and applications for the Summer 2004 Costa Rica program will be available mid-January.
Colleen Cooper is SCC’s international education manager.