I honestly can’t think of a better way that I could be starting off my 20th year on this Earth. This trip has been the experience of a lifetime and it’s only one third of the way through! Yesterday morning, as I was walking the streets to meet my friends for lunch, I kept thanking God for the opportunity to study in this beautiful country. I love that I am experiencing new things almost every day. For example, on Wednesday I legitimately rode a train to the capitol city of San Jose. I’m not talking about the little one at Spring Park in Tuscumbia. I’m talking about a real train that people take everyday to get to work or visit their families. I pushed the window up and enjoyed every second of that view and sat amazed at the beauty of this place. San Jose showed us the busy, city life of Costa Rica. I hope that we can return there one free morning and enjoy it a little bit more.

I have loved finding American movies on the television here! I have seen My Best Friend’s Wedding, Hook, Shrek, Yes Man, and Pirates of the Caribbean all in Spanish. I have been told before that watching movies in Spanish can really help you improve and it’s a more fun way to study. After hours of hearing the language constantly, your brain starts clicking!

This trip has brought me so many new experiences. Just last night I took a taxi for the first time! I had a little trouble telling the driver where my house was because directions are very different in the United States. For example, these are the directions to my house: “From the Banco Nacional in San Joaquin, go 100 meters south, it’s the house with the green bars, a big garden and palm trees in the front.” The streets have names, but no one uses them! People here will tell you 300 meters and that automatically means that you walk 3 blocks. No matter how far the distance 100 meters= 1 block.

My next post I will tell you all about what we did on Friday the 13th! ¡Estaba muy divertido!

Amanda Price

My name is Amanda Price. I am a 20-year-old junior at the University of North Alabama majoring in nursing with a minor in Spanish. I am from Florence, Alabama and am proud to call this beautiful city my home! I had never been out of the country before until this summer. Just last month I had the opportunity to travel to Senegal and it changed the way I view the world. After my experience in Senegal I have a new appreciation for the importance of cultural immersion and the value of language. I now have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica where I will be taking Spanish classes along with other UNA students! I am excited to be a “Tican” for a few weeks and will take every opportunity that this trip throws at me (except for bungee jumping)!

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