Until next time

My adventure here in Costa Rica is coming to an end and I couldn't be more blown away by the gran adventure it proved to be. I have learned so much about not only the language and culture here but about myself. I couldn't have asked for a better experience here nor could I have imagined the amazing friendships I would make. I cannot express how grateful I am for my host family for taking me in and taking care of me during my stay here in Costa Rica. It takes a very special family to be able to take a complete stranger into their home and welcome them with open arms. I couldn't have made it through this trip without them along with all the wonderful people with USAC. They were so helpful and if they didn't know the answer to a question, they knew someone who did and were willing to find out.

I never expected to fall in love with this country as much as I did. I expected to have a good time but I have really had the experience of a lifetime and would tell anyone and everyone who's thinking about studying abroad to look past the fear of going and the money and just go. You really will NOT regret it. I've met so many wonderful people and experienced so many things that I never even thought possible, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I'm so glad that I chose to come to Costa Rica. The country is seriously the most beautiful place I've ever been, the people are all very friendly, and there's always something new and exciting to do. It's amazing how green this country is and how important it is to the people here to keep the country that way. I wish we didn't take advantage of nature as much as we do in the states. It's truly beautiful when you just leave it alone. One of my fellow USAC-ers said to me today, "You could fill a box of crayons just with "Costa Rica greens"" and she really was right. The wildlife is so lush here it's unbelievable. I don't think I will ever cease to be amazing by the beauty of this country.

I've done so much here! I ate a termite, I swam in a waterfall, I rode a horse down the beach and in a river, I went boating down a canal after dark and watched the stars and saw the milky way, I floated down a river and ran into rocks, I got eaten alive by mosquitoes, I spoke and learned Spanish, I made new friends, I scored a goal for the first time ever playing soccer, I went dancing with locals and was told I was good....the list goes on and on. I'm so proud of myself for everything that I was able to do here in such a short time but I can't help but feel that my experience here is incomplete. I will come back to Costa Rica some day, and that's why I'm not saying goodbye to Costa Rica tomorrow I'm saying until next time Costa Rica.

I fly out at 8:30 tomorrow and don't get home until midnight. Hopefully during my layover I'm able to write up something to practice for my OPI test that I'm taking next week. I'm so nervous and can just hope and cross my fingers that I'm prepared enough for the test. Keep me in your thoughts! My test is on Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone who's kept up with me through my blog. It's really been great to write down everything that's happened while I'm here because I'm sure I will forget some things! It's neat to look back and read through it all too. I plan on writing one more post a few days after I've been home about my thoughts once I'm home if you would like to read one more post.

Hola and until next time, from my host family and me! 

Until my next adventure,
♥SEJ