Studying abroad in Costa Rica would give me the opportunity to speak, write, think and dream in Spanish. I am pursuing a Spanish minor and believe that immersion is the best way to become fluent. While Spanish can be learned in many countries throughout the world, Costa Rica offers an environment with a dialect that is fairly easy to understand, which would offer me comfort when it comes to speaking and understanding the language. I am planning on minoring in Spanish not only because I enjoy the language, but because it will differentiate me from other students. I have a rather large Spanish vocabulary and know the grammatical rules, but I need to be in an environment that I will require me to hear and speak it on a regular basis. Without …show more content…
I recognize how important it is to take courses that will contribute to my major, but I also recognize the importance of electives and studying in Costa Rica would offer me a unique opportunity to venture outside of my major. Classes such as Ecotourism: The Costa Rica Case and Innovation and Entrepreneurship would provide a learning opportunity unavailable to me here at the University of Denver. ISA: Veritas University would also give me the opportunity to attend business classes taught from a smaller country’s perspective. A country that does not dominate international trade and that possesses a different economic, political, and cultural environment. I will be able to understand the export and import issues in not only another country, but on another continent as well. Just as a language is better learned through immersion, so is business. I would have to opportunity to take classes like MGMT 3030 Creative Leadership Skills, MKTG 3010 International Marketing Management, and GEB 3350 Introduction to International Business. Learning in an environment with different economic drivers, laws, health care, education, work force, import/export rules, natural resources, politics and taxes would help me look at business situations here at home in a new light. With this knowledge, I could bring new ideas to the classroom and provide a different perspective. I will also be required to take at least one Spanish language course during my time in Costa Rica. In addition to the business classes, I think this is an amazing opportunity because I would be able to learn the Spanish language in a Spanish classroom with native Spanish speakers. I can’t get either of these experiences here at the University of
I took my first Spanish class in 8th grade because I knew a foreign language credit was required for an advanced diploma, but I had no clue how useful the language would become. Waynesboro is a very diverse city and being bilingual has many advantages. After completing Spanish IV in 10th grade, I was nearly fluent in the language because I used it daily on the soccer field with my nine Hispanic teammates. This especially came in handy when competing against teams with no Spanish speakers. Fast forward two years to today, and I still have the conversational aspects of the language engrained in my brain. At Chick-Fil-A I work with a Hispanic lady named Carolina who does not speak any English, and I am her best friend at work
Human habitation can be traced back more than 10,000 years but it appears Costa Rica was sparsely populated and a relative backwater in the pre-Columbian era. There is little sign of major communities and none of the impressive stone architecture that characterized the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica to the north and the Andes to the south. When Columbus arrived near Lim¢¢n on September 18, 1502 on his third and last voyage to the Americas, there were probably no more than 20,000 indigenous inhabitants They lived in several autonomous tribes, all with distinct cultures and customs. Costa Rica's only major archaeological site is at Guayabo, 30 miles east of San Jos‚‚, where an ancient city, dating back to 1000 B.C. and though to have contained 10,000 people at its peak, is currently being excavated. Many interesting gold, jade and pottery artefacts have been found throughout the region and are on display in several museums in San Jose.
I learned more than I ever imagined on my summer study abroad trip to Costa Rica. I learned that Costa Rica is a country like no other. The country is much different than what the United States of America is like. The lifestyles, customs, and practices of Costa Rica are very different than those that I am accustomed to. As an outsider looking into the country, I saw a country that is very poor financially but very rich in spirit. They do not appreciate wealth as United States citizens do, but instead appreciate love and gratitude. I noticed that Costa Ricans have very strong family values and cultural roots.
The azure waters where I can see the stunning aquatic creatures, the olive palm trees that dance side to side to the music in the wind, and the astonishing Spanish culture. All of these are mutual features Puerto Rico and Honduras (Central American Country) share. I am proud to represent such beautiful and cultural places. My mother is from Honduras, and my biological father is from Puerto Rico. I was born in North Carolina in a minor town named Saint Paul's. I do not dream of becoming a famous idol or a millionaire. I dream of being able to achieve goals that will impact my life and the rest of the world.
While researching the beautiful country of Costa Rica, I found many sources. These sources discussed every aspect of Costa Rica. For example, they explained the country’s historical background, common foods, clothing styles, geography, and government. This being said, I have organized this paper into five sections: overview, historical background, cultural aspects, geography and climate, and government. My goal in this paper is to show the many aspects of Costa Rica.
If accepted at Macalester, I will go out of my way to be an engaged member of the community. I will attend the required language classes with enthusiasm, because I want to be a part of more than just English speaking communities, but Spanish or Arabic speaking communities as well. I believe that learning languages is a way to build community with people from everywhere and think beyond borders. My desire to be a good global citizen will fit in with Macalester’s values, and I believe I would be a positive addition to campus both academically and
There are a lot of reasons why I chose to pursue pharmacy as my career and they all point to the most important reason: pharmacy is a great fit for my life and is something I have become increasingly passionate about. It started when I was researching careers with my parents and my dad suggested pharmacy and, simply put, it sparked my interest because at the time it was one of the few things I thought I would not hate doing. A healthcare career has always been where I put myself in the future, mainly because most of my family members are in the healthcare field. However, I have never been one that could directly help the wounded or deal with anything gory, but am very intrigued by the growing science of pharmacy. As I continue exploring pharmacy, the more I enjoy learning about it and feel like I could excel in this career.
Costa Rica lies in the tropics and originated as a land of peaceful people and lush ecosystems. The Costa Rica of today is much different than a simple ideal tourist location. It is a country that ranks among the world’s highest in biodiversity. In addition, there is no separation between church and state. It is a country with a woman president and no army. The economy of Costa Rica is challenged on a daily basis and the education of its residents is recognizable. The purpose of this paper is to introduce readers to the many unique facets of the small Spanish speaking country of Costa Rica. My intent is to present information about the country’s geographical facts, biodiversity and ecotourism, religion, education, government and economical status.
While in the classroom I learn Spanish, speaking with native speakers will be an amazing experience. Not only will I practice my dialogue, but I will also be able to better copy the accent which really sets native speakers apart from those of us who learned Spanish as a second
-Costa Rica earned its independence like the rest of Central america. They never fought for their independence from Spain. Costa Rica then becomes part of the Independent Mexican Empire. On September 15, 1821, after the final Spanish defeat in the Mexican War of Independence which lasted through 1810–1821. Soon the authorities in Guatemala declared the independence of all of Central America including Costa Rica.
Whoosh!A bed whizzed by, surrounded by about 6 medical personnel. “What’s going on?” I thought immediately with apprehension. I knew whatever was happening it was not ideal. Ensuring I was not in the way, I stood on my toes to see what demanded so much attention. To my astonishment, I saw a coin sized hot-pink little girl. She could not have been bigger than two quarters lying side by side.She was struggling! Even with all the procedures the doctors were executing to save her life, she was performing the most work.
Costa Rica is part of Central America. It is located south of Nicaragua and north of Panama. Their national language is Spanish, but they also speak English. In some cities they speak a mix of English and Spanish together. The capital is San Jose. Most of the ethnicity is white and mestizo which is a mixed between Native American and European. The population is 4.94 million. The total area is 19,730 which is little more than Hawaii and New Jersey combined. The official Costa Rican motto is pura vida which means pure life. They have a very laid back way of living. As of 1948 they have no military. This information is provided by Fact Monster, Trading Economics and Paradise Hunter.
My perseverance has prepared me for a career in medicine. The path towards becoming a physician can be long and challenging, necessitating the ability to endure. My ability to bounce back from setbacks and mistakes has solidified throughout my journey. One of the cornerstone experiences of my personal development occurred during high school. My determination led to me my graduating as valedictorian of my class, while balancing three varsity sports and several extracurricular activities. In addition, I worked on weekends to help support my family financially. This persistence resulted in scholarship awards that made higher education a possibility.
I grew up in a household where education was seen as a form of self-improvement and empowerment. Being raised in rural Central California by two Filipino immigrants who had nothing more than a high school education, my family did not have an educated or intellectual history I could look up to. That is, until my mother decided to get a college education at the age of 45. I must have been in middle school at the time, before which the word “college” was never really spoken or talked about and I could honestly say I only had a vague idea of what it even was. Rather than having the traditional sit down talk with my parents about higher education, my mom clearly spoke to me through example. I distinctly remember times where I would be her study buddy, and while doing so, I found myself leisurely enjoying the pages of her science textbooks. Instead of asking her questions related to her upcoming text, I inquisitively asked juvenile questions like, “How do the genes make us?” Today I know that this is a very big and complex question that we are still trying to answer. Yet at that moment, I wanted an answer, but mother did not have the solution, nor did the textbook. That was the birth of my pursuit of scientific career.
Once I was able to dig deeper I found out that Costa Rica is a very interesting country with fun and exciting adventures waiting like; hiking next to a volcano at night, rappelling down a waterfall, or ever soaking in a hot spring. I do not know about you but my bags are packed and I’m headed for the airport right now. If only I did not have class tomorrow, I can dream right? Well the first major topic I am going to start with is the general overview of Costa Rica, so let us get started shall we.