I cant believe this amazing experience has came to an end. I have gained and accomplished exactly what I wanted and more. Ive learned about another culture and got to experience
living in another country, I have strengthened my spanish skills, took a step toward my career, put out a hand to help humanity and have met people from all corners of the world. Everyday on bus rides, waiting in line for something, at work, at the store, in spanish class, in the homes of my host family, friends of friends, family of friends...Ive met a bazillion of amazing people who have broadened my perspective on life, who have shared with me their stories and experiences, who make me want to be a better person, more knowledgeable about the world, and inspired to do more.
Ive never had white friends before, and the girls that Ive met, have now became my life long companions. This trip would not have been the same without my German girls, my buddy and roommate from Kentucky and my partner in crime from Montana. These girls are great.
And my Costa Rican family was wonderful too. My host mother was so nice, funny and loving, who immediately made feel at home. And my hermanito, Dani, was so helpful, fun and incredibly lovable. If I ever return to Costa Rica, I know I have always have a place to call home.
Im so thankful to have all these life changing individuals.
However, I do admit...this experience was a lot more successful than I had anticipated. There were many nights, especially in the beginning, where I was scared, nervous and uncomfortable...but I managed to bring out my courage and get through it.
Ive gained a lot of self confidence during this trip. Many people claim they want to travel and do this and and do that, but I actually got up and did it. I had a goal, a dream, a passion to do something and I did everything I could to make it happen. However it wasn't easy. I had to save money during all of last school year, working as much as time would allow me to, putting ever paycheck to my savings account without even looking at the balance and have sacrificed my shopoholic urges. I did my research to find a flight and legit volunteer program that met my educational and financial needs without anyone holding my hand. But it wasnt just the money and time that was required to make this happen. It took a lot of growing, hurting, learning, strengthening and self love that I had to put in to get to a point where I could even desire this experience. In the last two years since Ive been in college, Ive changed...drastically. Before I wasnt able to do anything on my own. It was hard for me to even be by myself in my own room...I hated being left alone with only my thoughts and my insecurities. I had to constantly be out, with my friends, with my family, surrounded by an environment that made me feel good about myself.
But now, I no longer search for my happiness and completeness from my surroundings, because I have found it all in myself. And with this happiness, completeness, independence and self love, it allowed me to have more love for life in all of its components. Understanding my own worth allowed me to want to give myself to the world because I know that I have so much to offer. It made me want to escape from my own little comfort zone and become hungry for more. I gained a passion to learn everything I can about other countries, cultures, ideas and people...a passion to experience everything possible from this world, and live life with endless positivity and courage, life everyday is the last.
Ive went from a girl who couldnt do anything on her own, who wouldnt join any sports or activities unless someone made her or joined it with her, who was so dependent on others, who understood alone as lonely, to a young woman who can travel to another country, a country that doesnt even speak english, by herself, without anyone holding her hand, happy even if left in only her thoughts, becase her heart is full of nothing but love of self, life, and others.
Now that this trip is over and done, and Ive accomplished what I wanted to achieve, for the first time ever, Ive realized that there is nothing that I cant do. If I have a goal, a dream, a passion to do anything at all, I know that I can make it happen. I can do anything that I want and achieve all that I desire.
The world was always mine..
I just to get up and reach out for it.
