When I started this blog, I set three goals for myself: (1) to share my experience, (2) to reflect, and (3) to "serve as a resource for students who want to study abroad in non-traditional locations like Central America." My my...two-month-ago Katie set some lofty goals. The thing is, while I feel like I've made steps toward accomplishing the first two of these, I don't feel as though I've addressed the final one: of offering my "wisdom" to the world.
Of course, a primary reason for this is that I'm not really sure that I necessarily have much wisdom to share: I see myself, right now at least, as the learner rather than the teacher. It feels like every day I meet someone different, do something I've never done before, and learn something new. But these new experiences have taught me many things, one of which I'd like to offer to you now.
Of course, a primary reason for this is that I'm not really sure that I necessarily have much wisdom to share: I see myself, right now at least, as the learner rather than the teacher. It feels like every day I meet someone different, do something I've never done before, and learn something new. But these new experiences have taught me many things, one of which I'd like to offer to you now.
If someone were to ask me for advice on studying in a developing (Third World, Global South, etc.) country - particularly a country in Central America - the first thing I would ask them is, do you consider yourself a flexible person? Or, are you ready to become one?
I don't mean "flexible" in the sense of that horrific "sit and reach" they made us do in middle school PE. No, I mean "flexible" in that you're okay with your plans changing, that you're open to compromise, that you take pleasure in unexpected experiences. Because if you don't have that skill now, you better believe that Central America will force you to develop it. There's just not a lot of room for stubbornness or inflexibility around here.
So what does flexibility look like traveling in Central America?
I don't mean "flexible" in the sense of that horrific "sit and reach" they made us do in middle school PE. No, I mean "flexible" in that you're okay with your plans changing, that you're open to compromise, that you take pleasure in unexpected experiences. Because if you don't have that skill now, you better believe that Central America will force you to develop it. There's just not a lot of room for stubbornness or inflexibility around here.
So what does flexibility look like traveling in Central America?
It looks like getting used to rescheduling your classes when they're cancelled due to protests over corruption (Guatemala) or the building of a new canal (Nicaragua).
It looks like knowing your taxi or shuttle might not arrive on time, without letting that stress you out.
It looks like figuring out how to bathe in a little den with a pot of boiling water and two buckets.
It looks like not being scared to ask for directions every once (or twice) in a while.
It looks like doing a lot of research on the places you're visiting, because there just isn't as much information out there about Granada, Nicaragua as Granada, Spain. And being okay with the fact that Google Maps may not be of much help to you around here. And that most places won't have a website. So you may arrive to tour a cathedral only to learn that it closed 15 minutes ago...oops.
It looks like knowing your taxi or shuttle might not arrive on time, without letting that stress you out.
It looks like figuring out how to bathe in a little den with a pot of boiling water and two buckets.
It looks like not being scared to ask for directions every once (or twice) in a while.
It looks like doing a lot of research on the places you're visiting, because there just isn't as much information out there about Granada, Nicaragua as Granada, Spain. And being okay with the fact that Google Maps may not be of much help to you around here. And that most places won't have a website. So you may arrive to tour a cathedral only to learn that it closed 15 minutes ago...oops.
It looks like being open to making mistakes while learning a new language and understanding that you won't understand everything. And that's okay.
It looks like trying not to die of heatstroke when you realize that your microbus (with no air conditioning) is not "Express," which means that the driver will stop every time he sees some random dude on the side of the road.
It looks like falling in love with new foods - paches de papa, gallo pinto, and plantain chips.
It looks like making peace with the fact that you may not have a truly hot shower for four months.
It looks like learning to wash your clothes by hand (with a brush!), because apparently washing machines are for basics.
It looks like not being embarassed for crying in the kitchen on the second day of your Guatemala homestay after finding out your beloved grandfather passed away, and instead letting your host family of almost complete strangers comfort you. Because your real family is thousands of miles away. And it looks like listening when your host mom tells you, "Katie, if you don't let yourself cry when you're sad, you'll find you won't be able to smile when you're happy."
It looks like being open to new friendships and relationships, and having faith that they will last even after your departure date.
And it looks like realizing that sometimes the best experiences in life are the unplanned experiences.
It looks like trying not to die of heatstroke when you realize that your microbus (with no air conditioning) is not "Express," which means that the driver will stop every time he sees some random dude on the side of the road.
It looks like falling in love with new foods - paches de papa, gallo pinto, and plantain chips.
It looks like making peace with the fact that you may not have a truly hot shower for four months.
It looks like learning to wash your clothes by hand (with a brush!), because apparently washing machines are for basics.
It looks like not being embarassed for crying in the kitchen on the second day of your Guatemala homestay after finding out your beloved grandfather passed away, and instead letting your host family of almost complete strangers comfort you. Because your real family is thousands of miles away. And it looks like listening when your host mom tells you, "Katie, if you don't let yourself cry when you're sad, you'll find you won't be able to smile when you're happy."
It looks like being open to new friendships and relationships, and having faith that they will last even after your departure date.
And it looks like realizing that sometimes the best experiences in life are the unplanned experiences.