I have very few expectations going into this foreign placement in Costa Rica. I am very excited to go into this new experience, since I need a change of pace. I've traveled fairly extensively in Central America before, and therefore have at least some idea of what I'm getting myself into. However, I also know that every single experience is very different. Angela has told me that my host family bakes for a living, and raises chickens. I am bringing an immersion blender as a gift for my host grandmother. Apparently I will have my own room and bathroom with nice windows and a view of the mountains... and I do love chickens. So, I am pretty excited for this experience!

I speak Spanish okay, but know I will have a lot of catching up to do to be able to converse fluently... it's one of those things I know I can pick up fairly quickly, but it always takes a few weeks to get in the groove. We'll be taking a week of language at the ICADS school in San Jose, which I am very much looking forward to. I am so excited to be able to learn and teach in Spanish.

Apparently I will be teaching elementary ESL and working to develop the science and environmental programs at Escuela Serapio Fajardo. I ordered some field guides and have been looking at Roots and Shoots curriculum materials to bring along, and I feel really excited about being able to help teach these subjects! I also am excited to help with the school's landscaping and planting... which will be my community service project. I helped schoolchildren in Nicaragua develop school gardens last summer, so I at least have some knowledge of gardening terminology, and how to garden with minimal tools/materials, to begin with. Hopefully these will serve me well!

All in all I can't say I have firm expectations of any sort for my experiences, but I am walking into it with open eyes and heart!