As I return to daily life in the U.S., I wanted to share some of my experiences coming back into my hometown in Texas after my time in Heredia, Costa Rica. I had the best time in Costa Rica and have been noticing some of the differences in the way of life compared to my experience in the U.S. Some subtleties that I have observed are how saving resources is approached, modes of transportation, and dietary differences.

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Firstly, I noticed that in the United States, Americans have a distinct approach to conserving resources. Some of these differences include not taking into consideration turning off the water when washing, taking long showers, wasting uneaten food, using plastic products more than paper, and flushing anything possible down the toilet. Many Americans do not think twice about these habits, and it is considerably harming the environment. Overwhelmingly, Costa Ricans realize that our planet is our only place to live for eternity, and that we should take strides to take care of it and our resources that come from it. I have seen these values translate into daily habits implemented in Costa Rica, from a national line of branded paper products with every take-out meal, recyclable containers in contrast to plastic products, the healthy reminders to turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use, the use of natural sunlight over an electric lamp, and saving uneaten food for another meal instead of tossing it. These small habits that are incorporated into daily life in Costa Rica have shown me that I can bring these habits home with me to help the environment in a small, but mighty, way.

Some tips I could share to reintegrate into daily life after studying abroad include trying to stick to the same sleep and wake routine and adjusting to the new diet slowly. I had some trouble going immediately back to an American diet, which gave me some stomach issues, as my body was so accustomed to the fresh and healthy diet that Costa Ricans are used to. I would also recommend trying to continue daily exercise once returning to the United States, as the body can have a shock going from daily walking to driving more often.

Furthermore, I will recommend studying abroad to anyone of any identity, as this experience changed my life for the absolute better and showed me that there is much more than learning inside the classroom, but also learning about the world around you.

Lane Decker, Diverse Ducks Ambassador

Advancing your Academic Success: Pre-Freshman Studies in Heredia, Costa Rica