Living anywhere different is a challenge, but another country is a whole other struggle. After living in Costa Rica for a month, we have learned a lot, and not just in the classroom. Here are some of the things we have been learning through teachers, taxi drivers, friends, and new families:

How early our mornings must begin here, usually around 5 or 6.

How to develop awareness of world events and care about what is going on.

How to forget the concept of time and just appreciate being with people. Our families are an essential part of our learning process. Most of the families that we live with exclusively speak Spanish. Evenings at home are definitely an opportunity to practice speaking Spanish. Though most of our families have hosted North American students before and know what we like (cornflakes for breakfast, dinner at McDonald’s, etc...) we are learning Latin American culture from the smallest and most intimate social institution. The experience of jumping into a family’s life and living with them is limitless in its opportunities for growth. We are slowly transforming from houseguests into members of the family. Eating with our families has been a highlight. There is an abundance of rice and beans, or gallo pinto that we have all come to love. Delicious Costa Rican fruit can be bought just about anywhere on the street and is much juicier and cheaper here. Costa Ricans, or Ticos, also are infamous for their delicious, fresh fruit juices, or frescos. It is not unusual to hear students at the LASP office talking about what kind of fresco they have in their lunch that day. This experience is however, marked with misunderstandings. LASP students often find themselves on outings with their families, not knowing exactly where they are going, what they are doing, or for how long. General ideas usually make it through the language barrier, but details often get lost. We are learning the humility to ask questions instead of just nodding our heads and saying "si, si, si" when we don’t quite know what’s going on. Though breaking through the culture barrier is frustrating at times, we are having a great time learning and living here in Costa Rica.

How much Spanish we do not know (even after so many years of classes!)
What we may not have been taught in our history classes.We are learning about current events like the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and getting involved in local elections, which just happened on Super Bowl Sunday (February 5). It was incredible to take part in elections and learn about the issues and the 14 candidates. We were able to go to the polling places with our families and learn how elections work here, and how different democracy can look in different countries and different contexts. Also, our classes place a huge emphasis on learning through experience and getting out into the culture to learn about, therefore, we spend a lot of time around the city getting to know the people and the places, in order to better understand the country in which we are living.

How to change money and convert prices in your head. (and use HUGE coins)

How to talk to people around town to ask for directions, or interview them for papers and investigations.

How to eat rice and beans a few times a day and enjoy it!

How to call a taxi and tell the driver where you want to go and what route to take.

How to get on and off a bus. (it is harder than it seems) After flagging down the right bus and digging in your pockets for a sufficient amount of colones, you learn that the term "personal space" does not carry much meaning in Latin American public transportation. You should be sure to get ready to depart the bus many stops before your own because there is no guarantee that you will be able to locate the pull cord or stop button while simultaneously trying not to violate anyone as you work your way through an aisle of people toward the exit. If for some reason you are unable to locate the stop button, you can always just stand awkwardly by the door until the driver lets you out. Taxi etiquette is also a sensitive, yet essential part of daily life in San José. Once you've flagged down a taxi, you must proceed to describe to the driver your destination, which oftentimes you are unsure of yourself, with what little Spanish you know. When you reach your destination, or at least a place you recognize, you pay the driver and are free to leave. It is extremely important to note that you should never, under any circumstance, slam the taxi door, and the definition of "door-slamming" in Costa Rica encompasses anything harder than a light tap that barely gets the job down. If you ever find yourself outside of a taxi or bus, remember that pedestrians don't have the right-of-way, many of the traffic signs are just a suggestion, and horn honking occurs on a minutely basis. With a little practice and a lot of patience, you too can master the fine art of public transportation in San José.