My nine weeks in Costa Rica have come to an end, and while I am heartbroken to leave, I am eternally grateful to have experienced the beauty of it all. I am bringing back with me new recipes, experiences, and memories that have shaped me into a new person. My farewell dinner with my host family was full of emotions and delicious food. Saying goodbye to the family I had been sharing time with was a lot harder than I anticipated. It felt like I was saying bye to another version of myself, as well as to all those I met who I don’t know when I’ll see again.
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When I landed in the United States, I felt sad and heartbroken, and I knew readjusting would be difficult. Something that I found helpful was cooking some of the foods I had in Costa Rica. I started making Gallo Pinto in the mornings for my family and patacones in the afternoon. A tip I would give to those struggling to readjust is to cook meals and plates from their study abroad country. Having a piece of Costa Rica in the United States helped me feel connected, even when I was miles away. Also, seeing my friends and family after a while helped with readjustment. I was able to reconnect and reminisce at the same time. I was able to explore more of my emotions and experiences, and catch up on what’s been going on with my friends. My return to the United States was long and tiring. My flight was delayed, but luckily, three other girls from my program were also on the same layover. We got to eat, chat, and do some final reflecting together, which helped with returning to the U.S.
My time with the non-profit foundation Sinergia has taught me a lot about myself professionally. During my internship with them, I conducted a focus group and wrote a report. I oversaw the research, planning, and conduct of the focus group, which was something I had never done before. I was nervous that my focus group wouldn’t be detailed enough or that I would stutter too much, but I powered through it, and with the help of my supervisor and a lot of practice, my focus group went great. The students involved were also incredibly engaged and patient, which helped ease my nerves.
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That experience built my inner confidence and improved my skills in various aspects. I am excited to bring this experience back to the States and into my next workspaces.Leaving everyone and everything you know behind for 9 weeks was really daunting to me. I felt like I would get too homesick and overwhelmed, and I wouldn’t enjoy my time abroad. I had a lot of fears and worries holding me back, but I am glad my family and friends pushed me to take the leap. Homesickness and strong emotions are bound to happen, but it’s the way you go about them. I began Facetiming my friends and family more often to feel closer to home, and began doing yoga and lighting incense to wind down before bed. Going abroad and experiencing a new culture and place has been one of the best choices I have made, and I hope that anyone on the fence, like I was, takes the leap!
Valeria Manzano Ballesteros, Diverse Ducks Ambassador