Welcome to Vargas Araya! For two weeks, this was my home base in Costa Rica. Vargas Araya is a neighborhood in Costa Rica located close to the University of Costa Rica and just 10 minutes from Costa Rican Language Academy. During my time in San Jose, Costa Rica, I stayed with the Fernandez family. Eugenia, my hostess, is a homemaker. She lives with her two daughters. One daughter is a language therapist as well as a teacher, and the other is a nurse. Another daughter lives elsewhere but she visits occasionally. This family that welcomed me lives in Vargas Araya. Eugenia also hosts students from other organizations. My host sister, Mari, also lived with the Fernandez family at the same time as me. She is from Japan and was in Costa Rica for three weeks attending CRLA. I cherished having dinner with Mari because it was always a time to tell each other about how our day went. Of course, we spoke using as much Spanish as we could piece together. I was able to watch Mari practice her Spanish class presentation at home as well as share smiles when we would spot each other at the mall or at CRLA. It felt good knowing that I was connecting with someone from a different country while in a different country. Eugenia’s sister, Marielos, also lives close by and also hosts CRLA students. Morgan, another MU Journalism student on this trip, stayed with Marielos. We were really close and able to navigate transportation home together a lot.

I must state that the meals I was served throughout my homestay experience were outstanding and really helped me expand my taste buds. My host mom always prepared a new and delicious breakfast and dinner for me. There were always a variety of new items that I didn’t know the names of. I was able to really immerse myself in the Costa Rican culture/lifestyle. I also may or may not have developed a little bit of an addiction to arroz (rice) while eating in Costa Rica. Every fruit that was served to me left me in awe of its freshness and juiciness. Trying new foods was a huge step in personal growth for me because I am usually the pickiest eater. I was very nervous about this being a burden for me during my stay, but my host mom really took the time to ask me about certain ingredients I just couldn’t stomach and also which items I really enjoyed in dishes like fruit and bread! I love fruit and smoothies so much that my host mom blended up a new fruit for me to try for each meal. Cas, known as the Costa Rican guava, was my absolute favorite. When she made it for me again toward the end of my trip, I instantly recognized it and remembered the name of it, too! I am very appreciative that my host family was very welcoming, attentive and open. Staying with a homestay family rather than simply staying in a hotel was the best decision ever! Vargas Araya and the Fernandez family really enhanced my first of many international experiences! I was able to live in an environment where I could be surrounded by and practice Spanish, have access to authentic Costa Rican meals, and learn more about the culture from my family’s interactions. Thank you to Vargas Araya and the Fernandez family!