Costa Rica is beautiful!! I still have moments where I miss home but overall I think this is a wonderful experience. I have already learned so much about myself, teaching, and people. As hard as it is to be so far from home at times.
My family is wonderful. I truly feel like part of the family. They call me their daughter and pick on me non-stop. My host mother offered to let me wear her pearls the other day when I was dressed up for church. I thought that was very special. I think she really cares about me. Also my sister and mother leave little gifts for me in my wardrobe. The other day it was a box of cookies I had told them I liked. It is very cute. My host sister is 5 and her English is actually really good. She can't form sentences but has a good base for her vocabulary. In a few years I think she will be fluent.
I love them a lot.
The school her is so different!! It was overwhelmingat first. The students talk out of turn, get out of their seats when they want, and eat in class. Even with all of this their work is still very good. It has been an eye opener. I now understand my students from hispanic countries so much more. I would get frustrated at one student for talking out of turn when I was at my school in North Carolina. Now I understand that it is part of their culutre and that it is not seen as wrong in school. I think that when I go back I will think about things differently when I teach than I did before. I have a better understanding of different cultures and I have learned that mine isn't always right.
The school is all open air and does not have any technology in the classes. We have computers but that they do not have internet. Their is little on the walls and the teachers have nothing in their classrooms compared to the states. They have one small closet which have a few things in them but not much more than text books. Yet they are teaching and do so in an effective manner. It has taught me that you do not need things to teach. Teaching is about the information not the supplies. Yes it makes it easier to teach when using a smartboard or some other new teaching supply but these things are not necassary to reach your students.
I think that overall this has taught me so much and I am so happy that I came.
Teaching my students!
One of the classrooms.
My family and I