It can be easy to idealize studying abroad before the actual experience. In the months before my departure, I was studying relentlessly for the MCAT exam (medical school entrance exam) and the thought of coconuts on the beach kept me going through some rough days. While I have had the pleasure of enjoying coconuts on the beach, my time here in Costa Rica has been more challenging and complex than I had expected. However, any difficulties that I have faced have, ultimately, been some of the more rewarding parts of my experience.
The main example of this is my progress in the Spanish language. Even though I have been completely immersed for months, sometimes I get lost in a sentence and it can feel hopeless to look towards achieving fluency. In the recent weeks, I have had more and more good days. These are days when I don't feel anxious to share in class, or when I can easily order food at a restaurant or cafe. I've had to learn to be patient with myself and remember to take things poco a poco (little by little). I have certainly improved a lot since I have arrived, and it is extremely satisfying when I feel like I can communicate confidently.
