For my STEP project, I decided to embark on the exploration of the beautiful country of Costa Rica. I was able to do this through GVI and their wonderful staff. In Costa Rica, we taught a children’s program, in El Cocal, that entailed creating lesson plans every day with English interwoven in the lesson. In addition, I was able to explore Quepos and El Cocal through a cross-cultural lens as I embraced the people of Costa Rica’s beautiful culture. Due to viewing my trip through a cross-cultural lens, I transformed from a privileged, upper-class child to an empathetic woman that yearns to change the world.
Before visiting Costa Rica, I really didn’t understand how good I had it. I took simple things such as hot water and paved roads for granted. I didn’t appreciate having proteins such as beef or chicken as a centerpiece for dinner every day or how clean my apartment is. However, by being in Quepos for two weeks, I became extremely aware and grateful of everything I have. I learned to be creative with my meals as meat was too expensive to buy every day. My desire to wear everything designer quickly faded as I saw the hardships that the people of El Cocal were enduring with a smile on their face. Through my walks through the cities of Costa Rica and my interaction with the people, success in my life turned from how many designer items I own to how many kids’ lives can I better.
Mathias. That’s the name of the little boy I fell in love with. He was loving and full of life. Every class, Mathias would run and jump on the volunteers as he played with our hair and gave us the biggest hug. He’d climb on my body as he attempted to get on my shoulders, so I could run around the playground with him. And with him as my pilot, we’d run around the streets of El Cocal playing tag with the other kids. Although I didn’t know Spanish, Mathias managed to communicate with me with lots of pointing and facial expressions. If you met Mathias, you would never have thought he lived in a small house made with panels that remains defenseless against Costa Rica’s heavy rain days. You would never have thought that he lived in one of the poorest and ostracized areas in Costa Rica that it isn’t even officially claimed as apart of Costa Rica by the government. Mathias was the light in the darkness.
Along with Mathias, the other children of El Cocal showed me what it’s like to be in a community. Although they got on each other’s nerves, they loved each other and their country. Unlike many siblings in America, the siblings in class had a bond that no one could break. An example that comes to mind is Andy and Andiewth. When anyone messed with Andy, his older brother would come blazing with his infamous line, “Hey that’s my brother.” Something so simple was so refreshing as it was apparent of the love siblings in class had each other’s back. This same bond was shared amongst the other children as they fought for each other from delinquent kids that weren’t allowed in class. Despite these children being born into drug abuser homes, they still were able to come together.
The last takeaway from my trip was that a want is far from a necessity. I had this realization through every day activities. At the GVI home we had no hot water, which use to be a necessity in my mind. A few weeks ago my apartment didn’t have running hot water, so I would drive to my friends to take a shower. Something so simple was a necessity in my mind, yet the staff of GVI gave that up to help the people of Costa Rica. Another luxury that was a want and not a necessity was air conditioning. In the beginning of the trip, I was shocked and mad that our home didn’t have AC. However, when we went to El Cocal and realized that they had no AC and not as many fans as we did then I was quickly humbled. Also, things such as unpaved roads, dirty homes, and less appliances opened my eyes to the privilege I had.
Because of the children of El Cocal, like Mathias and Andriewth, and the living conditions of Quepos, I found a new love to change the youth of the less privileged. After traveling to Costa Rica, I decided to vow to go to Ethiopia next summer for three months. I want to deepen my understanding of my native tongue so that I may go back when I’m older and help my country’s youth. My STEP trip has sparked a fire in me for reaching the youth all across the world so that no child grows poverty stricken. In addition, I’ve become a more generous person as I realize how blessed I am to be able to go to college for free and have a great paying job. Therefore, I vow to continue my education so that I may get a better paying job and use my income as a way to better others that didn’t have the same opportunity that I’ve had. Ultimately, I plan on changing the world for further generations to come.