Looking Forward To Studying Abroad

By Kelsi Brooks on March 20, 2014

rose

Our session here at Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica is coming to an end. We will miss the weekend excursions and getting to travel on a dime, the delicious fruit that you can get for under $2, and the perks of living in a country so close to the tropics. We know that reality is going to set in once we get back home. We are excited to see our friends and our families, and we are glad that we were able to meet awesome people on our journey. We are excited to see our pets, but we wish that we could adopt all of the strays that we saw along the way.

But, it is easy to miss doing something, but it is another to help new people adjust to the lifestyle at Veritas University. Studying abroad at Veritas University is very different from the average college experience back in the States. If you are looking forward to studying abroad, this article is for you!

One thing that newcomers must realize is that the university campus is relatively small. The campus includes  two major buildings that are about 3 stories tall, and a couple of minor buildings where professors hold their classes. The main building itself has an infrastructure that is both inside and outside. Birds can greet you while you study for your next class, or when it rains you might catch a rain drop or two.

A feature that we love at Veritas University is the access to green amenities.

Recycling on Campus

recycling bins outside and inside

windows in the classrooms

minimal use of lights and air conditioning

Skype the dog, Veritas campus

As an International student coming in, it may get overwhelming getting used to the new layout and hearing students (who are locals) speak Spanish all the time. That is okay! Being uncomfortable for a few weeks is normal. If you do not speak a word of Spanish, you will probably be able to pick up a new word each day from either your Spanish course or from the students and professors around you.

The key to surviving and loving your experience studying abroad is to be open minded and curious.

Looking forward to studying abroad means loving life at home but willing to open yourself up to experiencing a new life away from all that is comfortable and familiar.

Looking forward to studying abroad means giving up your home culture for the sake of being taught what culture means to other people groups.

Looking forward to studying abroad means keeping your head and enjoying your stay abroad, while maintaining your studies in and outside of the classroom.

Looking forward to studying abroad means that you seek change (for yourself, the world and your community back home).

In my intercultural communications class at Veritas University, we talked about culture shock. Culture shock occurs for everyone who lives abroad for an extended period of time. Not to scare you or make you feel intimidated, but culture shock is real and it has happened to all of us who studied abroad in Costa Rica in various ways.

What would I do to prepare for culture shock?

  1. Know how your body reacts to stress and new environments. Do you need to listen to music, do you read a book (The Bible, a magazine, a guide), do you exercise, do you need to be left alone to think things through?
  2. Bring your favorite foods with you to Costa Rica, or try to find them when you get to Costa Rica. Finding or having your favorite food with you can give you a sense of comfort (just don’t gain any unnecessary weight).
  3. Talk to your friends and family on social media or on the phone (Skype, Ouvoo, Face Time, etc.).

*All of these activities seriously help you cope with your new surroundings, and I would also add that it is good to get involved in your new community. Take a dance class on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the university, sign up for a gym membership at the local gym (Diamond Gym), go eat at a local soda, talk and make good relationships with your host family.

Culture Shock
Photo via http://muisss.files.wordpress.com

 

 

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