Culture in Costa Rica

           My journey through Costa Rica over the last ten days has showed me the vast difference between American culture and Costa Rican culture. It has made me realize how much I have taken for granted at home and made me more grateful for the things I have. This trip has also made me realize how spoiled we, as Americans, are. There are also things in Costa Rica that we do not have in America that I have had the pleasure of enjoying and getting to experience.

            The first cultural experience that I had while I was in Costa Rica, that I take for granted in the United States, is a communication barrier. I experienced this on the very first day that I was in Costa Rica when I arrived at Katie and I’s host family house. Our host mother and father speak no English which makes communication very difficult. We have to use hand gestures and a small amount of Spanish words to communicate with them. This makes it hard to even have a simple conversation at dinner. I did not realize how important communication and understanding a language is until coming to Costa Rica. It has definitely been a learning experience and gave me the encouragement to begin learning Spanish.

            People in Costa Rica eat very differently than those in America. Before coming to Costa Rica I was expecting the food to resemble Mexican food… chips, salsa, queso, quesadillas. But this is not the case. Instead they eat a lot of rice, beans, chicken, and fruit. Some type of fruit, particularly pineapple, has been served with every meal.  Fresh juice is also served with meals instead of water or tea. I have found that when we ask for water (aqua), we are looked at like we are crazy. One good thing about the way that they eat is that it is very healthy. They eat very little fried foods and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Although the food has been delicious, it has made me long for a slice of pizza or fried chicken from back home.

            There are many other things that I have noticed while in Costa Rica that are different from America. For instance, many people here do use hot water. They are used to taking cold or lukewarm every day, while in America we have hot water available at all times. The first week that we were here Katie and I had the “experience” of taking cold showers, but thankfully we are now provided with hot water. Another cultural difference that stands out to me is the road system and traffic here. The roads are curvy and filled with potholes. The traffic is very heavy and the people all drive very fast with little hesitation.

The Value of Communication: A Lesson Learned in Costa Rica

   I never knew the true value of communication until traveling to Costa Rica. The host family that my friend and I stayed with throughout the trip did not speak any English. This was something that I was completely unprepared for. To be honest, I was expecting the family to be bilingual and at least speak broken English. What a flawed perception that was! The only way to communicate with the family was to use hand gestures and Spanish words from a handout. I know my friend and I had to look like baboons when talking to the family at first. We would do things like hold our hands over our heads and move our fingers around to indicate water or walk around the house and point at things to indicate what we were talking about. This, mixed in with our few Spanish words had to be a site. It was frustrating at first learning how to communicate this way, but after the first day it became second nature. Before long we were able to have small conversations with our family, even if they were confusing at times.

     Communication was equally as hard outside of our host family’s home. At some of the nursing homes that we went to nobody spoke English. This is when we learned how valuable Laura, our tour guide, was. She was our interpreter and helped us at clinicals. But Laura was not always available, so we had to learn to communicate with the residents and workers at the nursing home in the same way that we did with our host families. This was a big challenge at times, but it was a great way to prepare us for becoming nurses and taught us how to break the communication barrier so that we are able to assess our patients.

     Although we learned how to communicate with the people of Costa Rica to some extent, there were times when we misconstrued what they were trying to say or still didn’t understand each other at all. For example, our host family tried to instruct us on how to turn the hot water on but we thought they were telling us that there was no hot water. So in turn, we spent the first week taking freezing cold shower because of the communication barrier.

      I have learned that communication is a vital part of life. Without it, you feel helpless. Without it, you feel lost. I have also learned that just because people speak two different languages does not mean that they can’t communicate. It simply mean that they have to work together to form their own language. Communication is something that people take for granted every day, but Costa Rica has taught me the value that it holds.

I would never forget my experience in Costa Rica. I love the whole culture and how they are very conserving people. It was truly a learning experience. The residents like to talk to you at the nursing homes. The country is so beautiful. The people are nice and love their country. They are very good people and love welcoming you to their country. It is best to learn as much Spanish as you can and have a Spanish/English dictionary on you so you can interact with people. I like how they have natural light in the rooms in thier houses. I think we should do that here in the U.S. Our electricity bills would not be so high if we had natural light in our houses in the United States.

Waterfall

                Today we went to the waterfall. It was by far the best experience of my life. I was very negative when we first went down because it was such a long hike and almost all of the stairs were broken. I already had a headache and I was so hungry. Once we got down to the waterfall it was such a beautiful sight. We got in the waterfall and it was such an exhilarating for me. It was an experience I will never forget. I am so glad someone in the group we were with had a waterproof camera that could capture the moment.  I remember thinking how thankful I was and I was so happy I was able to experience it with the amazing people I was with.  If I ever get the opportunity, I would love to go back and experience it again because I do not think the feeling I experienced while in the water would ever get old.

                The hike and the sweat it took to get to the bottom of the waterfall was more than worth it. I hope to look back on this experience when I am struggling through a hard time. No matter what I am going through it will eventually get better. I will look back on everything it took to get to that point and be thankful. It will eventually be worth it like it was getting to the waterfall. I believe this experience will allow me to become more positive no matter what my situation.

How to Care for a Costa Rican Patient- Kaitlyn Usry

How to Care for a Costa Rican Patient

Now that I have visited the beautiful land of Costa Rica and have lived out the culture for a couple of weeks, I have a better understanding of how to care for these beautiful people. The following bullets are only some of the many interventions a nurse could perform to make the care for a Costa Rican patient more effective.

1. Get an English/Spanish Dictionary- This is one of the most important interventions. Without good communication it will be very difficult to care for both the patient and the family. Use the dictionary as often as possible to have effective communication with the patient.
2. Incorporate the family into the planning and care of the patient- family is very important to this culture and their help will often make care easier and more comfortable for both the nurse and the patient. Remember, all decisions should be made by the patient. What is done should ultimately be the patient’s decision.
3. Use natural light to brighten the room- natural light is used during the day in Costa Rica to light up the homes and is used whenever possible.
4. Offer fruits as often as possible- while fruits are great for the body, they are also an important part of the Costa Rican diet and are usually eaten at every meal. Rice and beans are also a staple in their diet and should be offered, as well. ( if not contraindicated)
5. Use touch as a form of care- Costa Ricans are very generous and caring people. They often use touch to communicate and it would be beneficial for the patient if touch is used in his or her care!
6. Regulate the patient’s water temperature to his or her liking if the patient is bed bound. So many times we immediately place hot water in the wash basin because that is what the American culture likes and uses. However, many Costa Ricans bathe in cold water and might prefer that over warm water.

While these are no where near all of the considerations needed to care for a patient from Costa Rica, these most certainly are some important points that should be taken into consideration. It is always important to remember that care must be individualized and catered to meet each patient’s needs. It is important, as a nurse, with all patients, to look up cultural considerations and how to best care for each patient.

Best,

Katie

Costa Rica: Cultural Aspect

Cultural Aspect

It has been my pleasure to experience the Costa Rican culture on this trip. Our host family cooks

us 3 meals a day and they incorporate rice and beans with every meal. Plantains are a very

versatile fruit in their culture that can be used for both meals and desserts. They are also very big

on coffee, coffee is Costa Rica. It is one of their main exports and contributes largely contributes

to their overall economy. A typical day in the life of our host mom consists of cooking 3 meals

a day, hand washing clothes and hanging them to dry on a clothes line in the house, grocery

shopping, cleaning the house and entertaining family and friends. She likes to watch novellas.

Our host dad and mom are retired. Family is a huge part of their culture. Our host family's

extended and immediate family were at their host to visit and/or have dinner with them every

night. When we would go out they always made sure we were together and knew our way to

where we were going and back home. Here in Costa Rica they are very conservative with their

resources. They don't use hot water to shower so we had to request hot water in our bathroom.

They also have sky lights throughout their homes so most of the day they use the natural light

instead of electricity during the day. Their whole house has tiled flooring which keeps the house

cool. They don't leave the water running when brushing their teeth, washing dishes, etc. Overall I

noticed that they try to be conservative with their amenities. Also Costa Ricans overall walk a lot

to places like the mall grocery store, bars, and ride the bus in order to save money and conserve

gas. They also incorporate nature into the construction of their homes, hotels, and restaurant

structure. Everything is really open and connected. It rains almost everyday in Costa Rica for

10 months out of the year so rain jackets and umbrellas are a must. The natural landscape here

is so gorgeous which makes them a natural tourist attraction including the wild life, volcanoes,

and mountains. Costa Rica has been one of the most beautiful, richest and most invigorating

experiences of my life.

Costa Rica Blog: Nursing Aspect

My experience here in Costa Rica was one that I will remember for the rest of my life. The

people here are amazing and their culture is so rich and diverse. Helping the elderly at the

nursing home was a wonderful and humbling experience. I was saddened and shocked to see the

condition that a lot of their feet were in. I was glad to be able to make some kind of difference

in their lives and their healthcare status. The greatest part of the nursing experience was how

satisfied and happy the residents were with the work that we did. Something so simple like a

pedicure that we as Americans and young people take for granted can make a world of difference

for someone else. They really enjoyed the exercise/dance activities. Some of them were

surprisingly limber and able to move very well. Most were really open and accepting of our care

to them while a few others refused to be seen. The most challenging aspect of providing care

was the language barrier. It was difficult to convey what it was I wanted them to do and what

I was trying to ask them. Learning a few simple phrases as well as asking Ms. Laura for help

translating eased the confusion a bit. Overall this experience was very enjoyable and a learning

experience. It taught me how to work with people of different backgrounds and culture as well

as how to effectively communicate with someone that speaks a different language. It has also

taught me that patience is key in these situations and though their may be barriers that may make

providing care frustrating and difficult, that you have to make do with the tools, space, materials,

etc. that you have in order to provide the best and most effective care for our patients and that

their health and well being are the most important aspects of the situation.

Until next time..

Upon returning to Georgia, I have personally grown in so many ways and gained knowledge of a different culture. Costa Rica is a beautiful country that sits between Nicaragua and Panama. In comparison to Georgia, Costa Rica is full of green vegetation where various fruits are grown. With every meal we have eaten pineapple or papaya as well as gallo pinto, rice and beans. The meals are delicious and all so fresh tasting. All of the meals we ate at our host family's house were homemade and cooked by the woman of the household usually around 6am, 12pm, and 6pm. 

I have learned after visiting Costa Rica for two weeks that the culture here is very Eco-friendly. For some families, conserving energy may be for monetary reasons but for others conservation may be more of something they value. Not only do people try to conserve energy, but also gasoline, food and water. Individuals living in Costa Rica often turn off the power when not using it or simply do not use electricity by using the natural sunlight. Gasoline is preserved by using public transportation such as the auto bus or a taxi. Food and water are rationed and never served in excess. Unlike the USA, Costa Rican restaurants do not serve water unless requested by the customer. 

Family time is highly valued in Costa Rica. My host family was a prime example of the importance family takes in each persons life. My host mom made sure to take care of all housekeeping such as cooking, cleaning and laundry everyday. Her fiancé and son worked long, demanding hours to pay off living expenses. My host mother's two married daughters and grandchildren came to visit multiple times throughout the week. Whenever family was visiting the family would talk and interact with one another rather than just watching tv or using the computer or cell phone like much of the American culture. Every family member was so sweet and respectful and wanted to know about me and Carly's lives. I truly felt loved and cared about by everyone in the house. 

I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible for me. First and foremost my Heavenly Father for providing financially, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Without His love and goodness I would not have had this opportunity to experience the culture of Costa Rica. I also want to thank my family and friends, Dr. Tabi, Ms. Laura, Mr. Fabricio, and my wonderful host family. I could not have asked for a better host family! The whole family was so wonderful and treated me as a member of their family. I believe I grew the most from the love and relationships I shared with my host family. I already miss all of them and hope to see them again someday. 

Pura Vida!

Missing Costa Rica already.

I'm saddened to say that our journey in Costa Rica has come to an end. It is hard to believe that in the short two weeks that I was there, I developed a love for people who were complete strangers. Despite my eagerness for returning to the United States, saying goodbye to my host family was extremely difficult for me.  Even though we are miles apart, I have talked to my host family a few time since I have been home. It makes me miss them even more, but at least I am still able to talk to them!  I am so thankful to have been placed in such a wonderful and caring home and I couldn't have asked for a better host family. 

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was more than just a school trip in my eyes. It was a life lesson to me. By being in a foreign country, I had to learn how to adapt to different situations and overcome the obstacles that were before me. I learned that unlike language and culture, everybody understands a smile. At times it was difficult to communicate, but whenever there was a smile on my face it was evident that others were more understanding of the language barrier. Some of the people would laugh it off and some would attempt to motion and act things out. In the end, there is no doubt that one thing that is universal is a smile. A genuine smile shows that you care. This study abroad experience taught me that when you physically show that you care about someone's well being, they are happier, easier to get along with, and more times than not, they also show that they care about you as well. Thankful doesn't begin to explain how I feel about the experience I was blessed to be a part of. I honestly believe that I will be able to be a better nurse because of the experiences I was a part of while studying abroad in Costa Rica. 

Costa Rica 1

     Nursing care in Costa Rica has given me a whole new perspective of being culturally sensitive in the healthcare profession. After working in four different nursing homes in Costa Rica, I have learned many barriers and differences in the Hispanic culture and my own culture. I quickly realized that language variations pose a barrier between the nurse and patient. When communicating with individuals who spoke solely Spanish, I had to adapt my communication skills such as learn Spanish words, point or demonstrate skills, and use nonverbal communication techniques. For example to instruct a patient to step on the scale to determine his or her weight, I said "peso", Spanish for weight, and pointed toward the scale on the ground. For those who didn't understand what I was talking about, I demonstrated how to correctly use the scale.

     As with any culture, diet and exercise routine may depend on the individual and his or her resources. I have noticed a trend in the diet of Costa Rican people which includes rice, beans, fruit, and juice with every meal. Often times they have some kind of meat and some type of bread with the meal. Coffee is also commonly drank throughout the day for a snack or with meals. I haven't noticed many local Costa Ricans drinking water. This sort of diet may have a large impact on the body, especially GI and urinary systems. When caring for patients with Hispanic culture, I will be sure to ask each individual what their regular diet consists of. Changing up diet can greatly affect an individual. 

     Exercise may be limited for some individuals living in Costa Rica, whereas others may engage in daily activity depending on the personal preference and economic status of the individual. A couple of people I have met here in Costa Rica have told me that they work between 60 to 72 hours per week! With a job that demanding, those people may not want to participate in vigorous activities. I have noticed while in this country that many people walk places or use public transportation. The preferred method of communicating may contribute to the individual's daily activity. 

So long and farewell Costa Rica

When Dr, Tabi asked me to come to Costa Rica just a few months ago, I was kind of spectacle of what this trip would offer me. Now that this trip is almost over, I have to say that this has been one of the best experiences of my life. As an up and coming nurse, I know all the experiences that I have gained from this trip and the cultural barriers I broke within myself will help me become a better and more responsible person. The nursing clinics has given me the opportunity to get a head start on the skills that I will need to have while in the program at Georgia Southern University. The people I met in the clinics were so thankful for all the services we gave them, and know I know that I want to be a nurse now. Seeing the expression of thankfulness on each person’s face gave me goose bumps. I will never forget what I did for them, and I hope they will never forget me.

Costa Rica is such a beautiful place. The people, the nature, and the places are all so different, but I will always appreciate everything I had the chance to do here, from doing clinics to snorkeling in the ocean. I have to thank Dr, Tabi for giving me this opportunity to spend these two amazing weeks here. Also, Laura for giving me the full Costa Rican experience while here. So this is a farewell to Costa Rica for now. I know that I will be back some time in my life to experience it all over again. As always… Pura Vida en Costa Rica. 

Costa rica

There are many cultural differences I have noticed just by being in Costa Rica for one week. It has definitely been an eye opening experience for me. This trip has been the first time that I've been out of the country so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

The first moment I really noticed a difference was when we were leaving the airport in Costa Rica. Me and a few of the girls were still going through security when majority of the group went to meet up with Mrs. Laura. After we went through security, we tried to find the rest of the group but we couldn't. We walked out of the airport and there were so many people there yelling at us asking if we wanted a taxi. We couldn't understand what they were saying because we only knew little spanish. They kept trying to take our bags and we tried telling them no but they couldn't understand what we were trying to say. Finally, our group found us and took us to the bus.

The language barrier has been the biggest problem for me. While at the nursing home, we had to ask the patients important questions about their health but it was very hard to comprehend what their answer was. During the foot assessment, some of the patients would point to their leg or foot and I would have to get a translator over to where I was to tell me what they were saying. This trip has inspired me to learn more Spanish. I strongly believe that it will help me to become a better nurse. It will allow me to connect more with the patients who speak only Spanish. 

I love how close the families here are compared to families in the United States. I hardly ever see the families watching tv or texting. They are almost always together enjoying each others company. The children and grandchildren live really close and the son lives at home even though he is twenty seven. I will keep that in mind if I ever have a patient who is from Costa Rica. I will be sure to include the family in my nursing care.

Another thing I will keep in mind is that most people from Costa Rica have a very strong faith. They are majority catholic. Every time our host family even passed a church while driving he would do the like at the end of every prayer. They also have statues of saints all in their house. If I have a future patient who is from Costa Rica I could ask if they wanted me to bring the chaplain into the room to pray over the patient.

Riu Hotel of Guanacatse

By far the Riu Hotel in Guanacaste has been one of the best experiences on this trip so far. This place is absolutely beautiful. When I walked into the lobby, I knew immediately that these three days would be amazing. Honestly speaking I kept to myself a lot, but that’s how I wanted it. The very first day, I had the urge to go jet skiing and horseback riding. When I rented everything and was out on the water, I was over by bliss and serenity. The view of the hotel from the ocean was gorgeous. How the waves met the shoreline and the birds flew around the building calmed me and I felt the effects on paradise take hold of me. This hotel was all inclusive and I reaped of the benefits it offered, from the food to the entertainment. I had such a wide array of food to enjoy, from Asian to Italian. Everything was so delicious. Honestly speaking, the second on third day were not as good as the first, mainly because I was starting to get sick. I sucked it up and put my problems aside, and was positive that I would not let this get me down. The second day was even better than the one before. I had the chance to snorkel in the ocean. The habitat under the water was so beautiful and serene. Our tour guide showed that was with us even allowed us to hold and touch some of the creature. My favorite of all of them was the starfish. The Riu Hotel of Guanacaste will always be a special place to me, and I know in the future I will return to it again.

 

Nursing Care in Paradise

       The first week of our trip was dedicated to the care of patients here in Costa Rica. We traveled to and visited four nursing homes throughout the country. Each home was different than the rest. I love how the nursing homes are set up here. When most people think of a.nursing home,  a dreary depressing place comes to mind. Here these homes are vibrant and full of life. All of the elderly seemed happy and content being where they were. Our presence appeared to make them ecstatic. The care we provided was much needed and appreciated. Seeing all the smiling faces and hearing all the thanks we were receiving is enough to warm any one's heart. Of course there were obviously language barriers that made communication difficult. With the help.and.guidance from Dr.Tabi and Sra. Laura we were able to better communicate. As the days went by our spanish improved. This trip has proven to me how beneficial it is to speak the language of the person you are caring for. All four of these opportunities allowed us to work on and develop or nursing skills when working with a different population. We learned how.to communicate effectively, obtain past and present medical health history,  and proper foot care and assessment. All of this skills are necessary for a nurse to have. I plan to use what I learned to help improve my nursing care. I am humbled and and very grateful for this opportunity to do such great work. I know better understand what it means to provide quality and affectionate nursing care for those who need it. No matter how small the act,  everything we do counts in the end to the person(s) we care for.

I hate to say goodbye...

    So I woke up this morning, and really for the first time, I came to the realization that these past couple of weeks have been a dream. To think, a few short days ago, I was swimming in a pool at the base of a waterfall, and before that I was serving the most amazing patients in San Jose! My heart is heavy today with the thought of leaving tomorrow, looming over me as our trip comes to an end. Home sick, tired, and a little sun burned...yet I can't imagine life in the states after living this paradise life for 2 weeks. I have certainly been both humbled and spoiled by the amazing Costa Ricans I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing. I hope everyone gets the same opportunity I have had. I used to be afraid of leaving the states, but now, I don't think I would have been able to grow nor learn how to live if I had not come to this amazing country. Your ability to interact, both as a nurse and a regular civilian, are truly tested when you immerse yourself in a foreign culture. But where you enter a green horn, you emerge a stronger and experienced individual. (Quick shout out to our greenest on the trip: Jimmy D, Taylor Fleming, and Sarah McFall. For what it's worth, I am proud of you all for diving in head first into a nursing geared program and performing with such professionalism, I would have thought you already passed the NCLEX! You three are going to be great nurses one day.)
     I feel it's only right that I not only thank the local Costa Ricans, but also my stellar peers, our wonderful instructor Dr. Tabi, and God bless her, our rock star guide, Laura--without whom, none of this would have been possible. I am so thankful for being blessed with this awesome group of intelligent people. We've made a ton of life long memories here, none of us are soon to forget. We started off the first couple days, shy and timid, but we have learned from each other and grown together as cultured nurses in a foreign world. I wouldn't change a thing.
      Thank you all, again. Dr. Tabi, God bless you for teaching us and facilitating this amazing learning experience. You were absolutely right, it wasn't vacation. It was the most inspirational, beautiful, and most incredible classroom many people don't have the opportunity to experience.
 ¡Pura vida!

Patient Relations in Costa Rica

     This past week, we visited four different nursing homes in San Jose, Costa Rica. That's four opportunities I great fully had to interact with some of the nicest patients I've ever encountered. Despite an obvious and sometimes frustrating language barrier, I found communication to be manageable. Sra. Laura and a couple of chance interpreters were able to guid my peers and me through the basic questions to extract health information from our patients. Our accents and pronunciations were terrible, but nevertheless, they laughed and generally understood what we asked. 

     Looking back again, I really notice a difference between Costa Rica and the States. In the US, some elderly become more agitated and less personable as they age. But in Costa Rica--the paradise of the America's--the elderly just get happier! Maybe it was the facility they stayed in, or the food, but one thing is for sure, the patients we saw were happy. They may not have been 100% together mentally, but they seemed to not have a care in the world. With that in mind, my perspective as a nurse has been totally reinforced. I have always known I want to do community care for the under served. That's my calling card, the reason I'm on this earth. 

Back in San Blas

Well, we're back in San Blas and our host family missed us so much. Tonight we are eating hot dogs and french fries. Santerica and I are watching the Heat vs. Spurs NBA game 4. Today was a bittersweet today. I really did not want to leave Guanacaste. It was very relaxing and the people there were so nice and pleasant. While we were there, I observed someone with ascites. Santerica spotted someone with an arterial ulcer on his leg as we were walking pass him. That was my first time seeing one up close. =)

Leaving Hotel Riu Today

Well, today we are leaving the Hotel Riu in Guanacaste today to head back to our host families in San Jose. The last two days have been so much fun. Our first day here we had a free day around the resort and enjoyed the night life. Yesterday we went on a snorkeling trip to two different points around the coast. We had a good time and I think that everyone was tired after so much swimming. There are not many locals that come to this hotel, visitors are mainly people from outside of the country enjoying a vacation here. It is a very beautiful place and I was able to take a lot of pictures. I enjoyed the stay with my group but now it feels like the trip is coming to an end now. We have one more free day when we get back to San Jose and than the next morning we will be headed back to the US. Now to get ready for this 5 hour ride back to our host families.

Hotel Riu in Guanacaste

We are currently staying in Hotel Riu which is a luxurious five star hotel and resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The staff here is amazing; they are very generous and always lending a helping hand when they see you are in need. I am also enjoying meeting people from all over the world who are staying here at the hotel because we are able to discuss our different cultures and gain new insights of different parts of the world. There is also so much to do at this hotel that there is LITERALLY, never a dull moment; there's jet skiing, snorkeling, horseback riding, and other exciting and adventourous activities here at this hotel that makes it so exciting to be here. My peers and I have had the chance to experience the delicious cultural foods, the adventurous activies, and the night life here at Hotel Riu. We are having an amazing time and this is definitely going to be an experience to remember! Tonight is our last night here and it is going to be bitter sweet, but I am looking forward to having a great time while making everlasting memories. I am so sad that this journey in Costa Rica is almost coming to an end...:(

Hotel Riu in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

We are currently enjoying our time here in one of Guanacaste, Costa Rica's hotels called the Riu.  Everything is all inclusive here and the hotel is luxurious! I'm excited to see all the people from all over the world come here for their vacation and have fun together.  There is a lot to do at this hotel, like snorkeling (which we did today and it was amazing!), pool parties, and even night shows to enjoy with everyone. Tonight is the last night we will be staying here and everyone is sad that our Nursing Study abroad trip is coming to an end very soon, but we all are going to continue to enjoy our time here until we get back home to our families.  We all can't wait to see our families and tell them about our adventures and cultural experiences in Costa Rica!

Guanacaste. . .!

So. . .We made it to Guanacaste. It is so beautiful. It took us about 5 hours to get here from Moravia. Along the way, Dr. Tabi held a discussion on the bus on how our experiences here in Costa Rica would affect us as a nurse, what it meant to be culturally competent, and important things we need to do when working with a patient from a different culture. In order for us to gain access into the hotel, our names had to be on a list that the security guard had at the front gate. Once our names were verified, she lifted the metal bar for the bus to go through the gate. I cannot explain in words how beautiful it is here. Lunch was composed of a self-serve buffet with a wide variety of food. I wasn't very hungry so I only ate two plates of food and some dessert. Unfortunately, we are only able to enjoy 90 minutes of free internet and we have to be in the lobby for it :( Tonight, I plan on watching the basketball game in the sports bar. GO SPURS :-)

My Journey Thus Far In Costa Rica...

My journey in Costa Rica has been nothing short of amazing. My host family has been amazing as well. Since the first day I arrived here they have welcomed me into their home with open arms and made me feel welcomed and comfortable in their home. I love how they take the initiative to learn about my peers and I, as we also seek every opportunity to learn more about them and their culture as well. I have also enjoyed providing competent, skilled nursing care to some of the people of Costa Rica. Providing care to this specific population has provided me with some of the cross-cultural skills I will need as a student aspiring a career in Nursing, which is very important. It's a blessing to be able to provide care that brings a smile to the patients' faces. It brings warmth to my heart to know that I have the ability to make a difference in someone's life and furthermore, it reassures me of my purpose here on earth. Touring around the country of Costa Rica has also been a wonderful experience. I've had the chance to visit many of the cultural restaurants, beautiful resorts, and numerous sites. Overall, I am so grateful for this invaluable experience. Being immeresed into a culture that is a mere reflection of different values, beliefs, and cultural systems will enable me to perceive the nuances that are often overlooked in the health care profession and how they are vital to the treatment of an inidvidual patient. I am definitely LIVING and LEARNING in Costa Rica, and I am enjoying every minute of this amazing experience. Pura Vida!!!

Pura Vida!

Being in Costa Rica was been one of the most amazing events of my life so far. This country is so intact with nature and the people I have met have been so kind. My host family has been so caring and generous since I have arrived. I am so thankful for them allowing me to become part of their family. They are such hard workers and try their very best to accommodate every need that I have, even though I don’t ask for much. I can definitely tell how our cultures are different. My host mother is in her seventies and she works as if she is forty or fifty. It’s just unbelievable how committed they are towards sustainability. The city of San José is huge and very busy. All though the day I hear people talking, vehicles honking their horns, and the wild life moving about outside. In the mornings, I have the privilege to get fresh bread from the bakery a block from my house. I love this so much; just the fact of doing this excites me so much. I really can’t explain why, but I could probably say it is the simplicity of daily life here is what gives me that feeling. We have traveled to a couple of different provinces here in Costa Rica and each one gets better than the last. We went to the Arenal Volcano resort, La Fortuna Waterfall, Baldí Hot spring resort and spa, and to the Ram Luna Restaurant so far. All of those places were absolutely gorgeous. So far my favorite place was the La Fortuna Waterfall. I have never been to such a beautiful place that is surrounded by nature in its most primitive state. So far, Costa Rica has been such an influential place in my life, and we still have another week. I’m looking forward to what else she has in store for me. As the say here, Pura Vida!

                                             San José, Costa Rica sunset

Coffee: More Than Just a Drink

Get a warm cup of coffee and hold it close to you. Take in the aroma of this decadent drink and let it take you to a new place! As I sit in Costa Rica, taking this beautiful paradise in, coffee puts it all in perspective for me. A warm place filled with beautiful people, all generous and willing to give. As I sip on a warm cup of coffee,  the temperature of it reminds me of how warm it is here and its liquid form  reminds me of the rain that comes every afternoon to nourish the Earth. The stimulating aroma brings me to the beautiful lifestyle of these people and the generosity towards others that is given here. Today we traveled to Cafe Britt, a coffee brewery that is making strides not only to bring Costa Rica to a better economical state, but also to make the coffee industry more sustainable. The entire essence of Cafe Britt  reminds any person that walks through it's gates that Costa Rica has ties to this Earth and has a goal of conserving its beauty and resources. The smell and beautiful gardens at Cafe Britt symbolize the importance of the coffee, nature, and the reverence for conservation that the Costa Rican people have. I am falling in love with Costa Rica and every aspect of this paradise. I am, without a doubt, so thankful for all that I am seeing and all that I have learned. As our journey is nearing its end, I am most thankful that whenever I will have a drink of coffee when I get back to the United States I can allow it to bring me back to this special land that holds a dear place in my heart!

Pura Vida,

Katie Usry

My experiences thus far.

It's day 10 and I've already experienced more than I ever thought I would on this trip. The first week we traveled to the different nursing homes and were able to give care to our patients. All of the patients in the nursing homes were very patient with us as we tried to overcome the language barrier. If ever we didn't understand we just smiled at one another. When in doubt smile. A smile goes a long way and is universal all over the world. The gratitude from the patients after we did foot assessments, checked blood pressure or even just danced was enough to reassure me that I have in fact chosen the right career path. All of this is so new to me because I'm only a rising junior 1 student. With the being said, I came into this blind not knowing how to do blood pressure or anything really. The other students on the trip took me under their wing and taught me everything. I am incredibly blessed to have met these girls and guys. With the experience I have already gained I will be a few steps ahead of my classmates and hopefully be able to teach them the things I have already learned. Being here and participating in clinicals, I am able to calm my nerves a little bit before I start clinicals in the fall. I am really looking forward to what the next four semesters has in store for me. ¡Pura Vida!

Coffee Britt Tour

Sitting here enjoying a nice meal at Coffee Britt with the rest of the group. We just finished receiving a tour of the grounds and it was pretty fun. I learned a lot that I didn't know about the whole coffee process. The rest of the day should be pretty chill because we don't have anything else planned so far. Tommorow we leave for the Riu Hotel in Guanacaste bright and early. Can't wait...Pura Vida!

Leaving Arenal Springs...Next Stop Jardines de Moravia.

Arenal Springs was an amazing experience for me! I never would have thought that I would have been able to literally swim under such an beautiful waterfall like the one in  La Fortuna.  I got to experience a both relaxing and exhilarating horse back ride through many different terrains and saw beautiful views from the top of hills of the town.  This was my first time ever getting to feel the power of a galloping horse through the fields!  Now that our trip in Arenal Springs is coming to an end, I am definitely looking forward to our time at the Riu Hotel in Guanacaste this coming Tuesday, June 11th. But first, we are on our way back to Jardines de Moravia, the neighborhood of our host families. Costa Rica is by far a trip worth taking! 

Arenal Springs

Our stay at Arenal Springs is coming to an end. While we have been here we have been blessed with many experiences such as swimming in a waterfall and zip lining. The hike down to the waterfall was difficult but worth it because La Fortuna waterfall was beyond beautiful. The water was definitely not warm like the Baldi Hot Springs, but that didn't stop us from getting in to swim! Zip lining through the rain forest was an amazing experience. It's hard to describe the rush I got from flying through the trees yesterday. The guides also let us repel down from the last platform which was another first for me. Arenal Springs has been amazing, but I'm ready for some more adventure!

We are currently at Arenal Springs Resort. I have never been so close to nature in my life. There was a snake by my bed and a lizard in the bathroom. Oh how I love nature -_-. While here I have had some of the best experiences of my life. I visited the La Fortuna waterfall, the Arenal volcano, and I went ziplining through the rain forest. I have never done anything so exciting in my entire life. The waterfall was like heaven on earth. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but it was beyond amazing. Ziplining through the rain forest Is something I will never forget. It was exhilarating and I was able to see the rain forest from an angle that most will never see it. It was already great, but it would have been 10 times better had the animals been out. I'm dying to see a sloth lol. Well I look forward to the many more experiences that are to come. Well...until next time.... :)

Well travels have started here again in Costa Rica! We have ended our clinical rotation and began our next journey. Today we saw the Arenal volcano which was awesome. After that we headed down to see the waterfall. Though the journey was tough but the view and scenery was well worth it. The group has settled down for lunch at Baldi Springs and can't wait to explore the resort!

Well travels have started here again in Costa Rica! We have ended our clinical rotation and began our next journey. Today we saw the Arenal volcano which was awesome. After that we headed down to see the waterfall. Though the journey w

Pura Vida!!!

Being in Costa Rica has been a wonderful experience so far. I absolutely love my host mom. Mama Herminia is a wonderful mother. Meals are always ready, she is super funny, and she makes sure me and Sabrina have everything we need. I couldnt have gotten a better host mom. I will definitely be sad when I have to leave. We have been here for 4 days and I have been faced with many challenges. I have been really sick with a cold, which makes it very difficult for me to sleep at night. Although I have been sick, I have tried not to let it ruin my trip the best I can. I have been really enjoying myself, despite my decline in health. We visited the Irazú volcano yesterday, which was AMAZING. It was so beautiful, so I made sure I took tons of pictures. We have also been working at nursing homes performing diabetic foot care for the past 2 days. Experiences like this remind me why I want to become a nurse. I was able to connect with my patients even without being able to speak the same language. Dr. Tabi keeps telling us that love and care is universal, and this experience definitely proved that to be true. By working in these nursing homes, I am able to appreciate all of the resources available to me in America. They really do not have access to much here. One guy told us he had not found a podiatrist since he has been here in Costa Rica and he was so happy to have us students and Dr. Tabi here to help. This is more reassurance that the career I chose is for me. Nothing felt better than seeing a smile on the faces of the many people we gave care to. I look forward to seeing those smiles for the rest of my career.

Tomorrow we go to Ram Luna for dinner. My Costa Rican Mom told me is was "muy Linda", so I am definitely looking forward to this trip. Until next time.... Pura Vida !!

So far my Costa Rica experience has been great. We have met our host families,visited the beautiful Irazu volcano, and completed two days of foot care. It has been great adapting to the culture even though the language barrier exists. I have enjoyed providing service to seniors in the community. It has been great communicating and assisting others here in the community. I realize all the simple things taken for granted in the U.S. We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow, but also a lovely dinner planned at the Ram Luna restaurant.

June 3 In Costa Rica

Podiatry care at a senior care facility in Cartago with pre- nursing and nursing students.  Also visited Volcano Irazu. Great and productive day. What a blessing providing care to the underserved. I looking forward to reading your blog posts on your Costa Rica experience.

jimmy dipietro