It really amazes me how fast time flies! I've been living in Costa Rica for two whole months already. Training has gone by so quickly, and I only have one more month left. Since my last post, I have experienced many adventures and have learned a lot, and the month ahead looks promising too! Between today and September 30th, I will find out my official site for the next two years, visit my site for a quick preview, explore the beach with my training partners, throw a party for training host families, and finally, say some "see you laters" and pack my bags for my next home here in Costa Rica. That's the forecast for the month ahead, but first, let me update you a little about what I've been up to in training lately!
Since my last post, I've been busy with Spanish language classes and technical skill training. Our Spanish classes are always a good time! I've learned a lot, and I have noticed major gains in my conversation ability. Of course, I still have a lot to learn (and a lot to practice!). Poco a poco. Little by little, I'll continue to learn and grow in the language. Like anything, it's a process and requires patience. I remember receiving some advice prior to moving to Costa Rica that language acquisition is a journey. Sometimes you learn a lot and feel like you are really grasping it. Other times, you feel like you are not making any progress at all. It's easy to feel frustrated. You grow and plateau. And grow and plateau. And grow and plateau some more. Sometimes all within the same day (or if I'm really lucky, the same hour). Like any learning process, the important piece is the effort and practice. I've really enjoyed our Spanish classes and the manner in which it is taught. It's not a typical classroom setting. We learn language through non-formal education practices. For example, the first thing we learned was how to ask and receive directions, something very practical and useful to learn right away when you move to a new place (or country). Other topics/practices have included learning common illnesses in Costa Rica, a class about cooking typical recipes, and experiencing actos civicos (holiday ceremonies) in the schools. Learning Spanish has been a very practical and cultural experience. Additionally, we have spent time in the schools to practice teaching lessons about various life skills, such as positive communication or decision-making. Teaching or facilitating in Spanish has been another beneficial method to practice language skills. Below are some pictures from Spanish class and facilitating school lessons.
Since my last post, I've been busy with Spanish language classes and technical skill training. Our Spanish classes are always a good time! I've learned a lot, and I have noticed major gains in my conversation ability. Of course, I still have a lot to learn (and a lot to practice!). Poco a poco. Little by little, I'll continue to learn and grow in the language. Like anything, it's a process and requires patience. I remember receiving some advice prior to moving to Costa Rica that language acquisition is a journey. Sometimes you learn a lot and feel like you are really grasping it. Other times, you feel like you are not making any progress at all. It's easy to feel frustrated. You grow and plateau. And grow and plateau. And grow and plateau some more. Sometimes all within the same day (or if I'm really lucky, the same hour). Like any learning process, the important piece is the effort and practice. I've really enjoyed our Spanish classes and the manner in which it is taught. It's not a typical classroom setting. We learn language through non-formal education practices. For example, the first thing we learned was how to ask and receive directions, something very practical and useful to learn right away when you move to a new place (or country). Other topics/practices have included learning common illnesses in Costa Rica, a class about cooking typical recipes, and experiencing actos civicos (holiday ceremonies) in the schools. Learning Spanish has been a very practical and cultural experience. Additionally, we have spent time in the schools to practice teaching lessons about various life skills, such as positive communication or decision-making. Teaching or facilitating in Spanish has been another beneficial method to practice language skills. Below are some pictures from Spanish class and facilitating school lessons.
In addition to learning Spanish, I've been busy learning and practicing all kinds of youth development skills. In the youth development sector of Peace Corps, we strive to work with youth, parents, and community providers to empower youth to make informed decisions about health, education, and lifestyles, as well as to empower and strengthen the youth voice. These goals are carried out through programs centered around positive life skills (i.e. self-esteem, decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, positive communication, and emotional health), sexual and reproductive health, positive relationships and gender, recreational/artistic activities, parenting workshops, and youth service providers.
To carry out some of these technical skills, we have been practicing lessons in the schools (see pictures above), and we went on a week-long trip called "tech week" to implement what we have learned so far. For my tech week, a group of seven trainees traveled to the province of Cartago . (Fun fact! The capital of Cartago- also called Cartago- is the oldest established city in Costa Rica.) We stayed in an agricultural town called Cot. The town was beautifully placed in the mountains with amazing views of volcanoes and mountains. The fog and low clouds made it feel like we were walking above the earth. It was incredibly beautiful, and much cooler than San Isidro and the coastal areas. While in Cot, we stayed with host families for the week. I stayed with a really great family that really made me feel extra welcome to their home and community.
The purpose of tech week is to see a volunteer in action, and also to take the opportunity to put our own skills into action. We danced with an adultos mayores group, facilitated lessons in the high school, and participated in arts and recreation activities with 6th graders. The school that we worked with recently had tires donated. The art project with the 6th graders was to paint the tires, and eventually make chairs out of the tires. At first, the painting portion of the activity went really well, despite the fact we only had grey paint. Yet, the excitement of the kids to more or less "lighten" the color of the tire, was impressively high. They didn't care that they were just painting with grey. They were eager and excited to paint and participate in artistic activities. After the tires were painted grey, we actually did have another color of paint donated. Yay, good news! Now we had yellow to add to the grey! All was well and good, until the kids started painting with their hands...and until we found out the yellow paint was oil-based, not water-based like the grey was. As you can imagine, the yellow paint became a big mess. Opps... Anyways, the kids had fun and enjoyed themselves, and that's what really mattered! Later in the day, we led a gym class for another class of 6th graders. We facilitated new games and really enjoyed the opportunity to have fun and run around. Below are some pictures from tech week!
To carry out some of these technical skills, we have been practicing lessons in the schools (see pictures above), and we went on a week-long trip called "tech week" to implement what we have learned so far. For my tech week, a group of seven trainees traveled to the province of Cartago . (Fun fact! The capital of Cartago- also called Cartago- is the oldest established city in Costa Rica.) We stayed in an agricultural town called Cot. The town was beautifully placed in the mountains with amazing views of volcanoes and mountains. The fog and low clouds made it feel like we were walking above the earth. It was incredibly beautiful, and much cooler than San Isidro and the coastal areas. While in Cot, we stayed with host families for the week. I stayed with a really great family that really made me feel extra welcome to their home and community.
The purpose of tech week is to see a volunteer in action, and also to take the opportunity to put our own skills into action. We danced with an adultos mayores group, facilitated lessons in the high school, and participated in arts and recreation activities with 6th graders. The school that we worked with recently had tires donated. The art project with the 6th graders was to paint the tires, and eventually make chairs out of the tires. At first, the painting portion of the activity went really well, despite the fact we only had grey paint. Yet, the excitement of the kids to more or less "lighten" the color of the tire, was impressively high. They didn't care that they were just painting with grey. They were eager and excited to paint and participate in artistic activities. After the tires were painted grey, we actually did have another color of paint donated. Yay, good news! Now we had yellow to add to the grey! All was well and good, until the kids started painting with their hands...and until we found out the yellow paint was oil-based, not water-based like the grey was. As you can imagine, the yellow paint became a big mess. Opps... Anyways, the kids had fun and enjoyed themselves, and that's what really mattered! Later in the day, we led a gym class for another class of 6th graders. We facilitated new games and really enjoyed the opportunity to have fun and run around. Below are some pictures from tech week!
After a long tech week, we ended the week with some good food and a visit to the creepy Duran Sanatorium, the old (haunted) hospital for tuberculosis patients. We said goodbye to our host families and headed back to our training communities. After tech week, we hit the books and projects again with our usual classes. This coming weekend, our group is excited to explore more of Costa Rica and hit the beach! Here are some more pictures of recent places and happenings: