The First Few Days: Finding my Way around EARTH University

(Fio and I - 06/03/34)

Hi! My name is Lily Hestjean, and I’m thrilled to call myself the 2024 Borlaug-Ruan Intern at EARTH University this summer. In this first blog post, I want to share with you my first moments in Costa Rica and at EARTH as I navigate EARTH (I won’t lie, I did get lost on the first day) – as I explore campus, make new friends, learn about EARTH classes and studies, and improve my Spanish. So that you and I can learn Spanish together, I will translate some words (palabras) I use in this blog post into Spanish (the Spanish word will be in parenthesis after the English word). So, here we go (Aquí vamos)!

My journey began as soon as I stepped off the airplane (avión) and the humidity hit (golpeó) me like a brick. Though, after a red-eye flight and a long day of traveling, I needed the surprise to jolt me awake for customs, baggage claim, and of course my arrival at EARTH! I said goodbye to my airplane friend – her name was coincidentally also Lily – and cruised through the airport; the system in the San José airport is very organized (muy ordenado). 

But the car ride to EARTH was a bit more difficult. I immediately spotted the driver, Rodolfo, with the neon-orange EARTH University sign, but when I asked “Do you speak English?” (“Habla ingles?”), and he responded, “No, only Spanish” (“No, solo español”), I was extremely grateful for my five years of school Spanish. I was glad to have the chance to practice my novice Spanish with him. 

We spent the car ride chatting about the beautiful sights we passed. Coming from the suburbs of Chicago, I was used to concrete and stunned to see the abundance of greenery everywhere, even in the capital city of San José. I dozed off, but as soon as I woke up, I marveled “Wowwww!” under my breath, and Rodolfo chuckled at my reaction. From the railings of the road, I could see rivers, rainforests, and fields of cows (vacas) below. And then suddenly, we were there, riding up the endless pathway lined with ornamental trees that leads to EARTH. 

(Pathway leading up to EARTH University - 06/03/2024)

As we pulled up to the dorms, I was greeted with two smiles, one from Sofía, my advisor, and one from a lovely, kind (amable) second-year student, Fiorella (Fio for short). I smiled back and greeted them with my broken Spanish. When they said “Bienvenida,” which means “Welcome,” I exclaimed “Bienvenida!” (“Welcome”) in response. I realized my mistake later that day in the shower. That is like the equivalent to responding “You too!” when the waiter says “Enjoy your food!” How embarrassing (“Qué avergonzado”)! But they, like everyone I’ve met here, are extremely welcoming and understanding. After only three days here, I find myself wanting to use Spanish to describe them. I want to say they are “muy amable,” (~ “very kind”) because this Spanish description is perfect, but there is no exact translation in English. 

Fio helped me find my dorm and described the dynamic of life at EARTH. Alternating between Spanish and English, she explained that EARTH has roughly 400 students in total, 100 in each grade, and that everyone knows everyone. So basically, I was the odd one out. When we were walking in, I did get a few stares, but they were only well-meaning stares of curiosity, not animosity. I think that the mosquitos also knew I was new because I probably received about 30 bites walking around that first day when I forgot to apply insect repellent. Lesson learned.

Fio gave me a tour of campus for the rest of the day. Nevertheless, the following day, I got lost finding my way to the cafeteria, which was, in fact, right across from my dorm. All of the buildings look exactly the same. I texted Sofía to ask for help, and she came to find me. She gave me another campus tour, pointing out points of reference this time. 

When it came time for lunch, I was able to find the cafeteria and Fio! I was so glad to have her to sit with; I felt like such an outsider. I felt awkward even when grabbing my silverware and asking for food. I had trouble describing the foods I wanted in Spanish to the workers, but Fio helped me. She introduced me to some of her friends, and I was grateful to have people to sit and chat with, even if I could barely understand the Spanish conversation with all of the noise in the cafeteria. 

(EARTH University Dinners - 06/03/2024 & 06/04/2024)

But now, as I reflect three days later, I will say the language barrier lowers more and more each day. I have learned so much vocabulary already; I write it in a tiny (poquito) notebook I brought. For example, “oso perezoso” means “sloth.” (Apparently, there are sloths around campus, and if I’m lucky enough, I’ll be able to see one up in the trees). I also feel so much more comfortable in my own skin now; I rediscovered how to laugh and joke with everyone. Each day, it becomes easier for me to breathe and even to write. Although, I think the real challenge will be when I have to do laundry in Spanish using Costa Rican colones (money). 

So, as I find my way around EARTH, I realize that the only way I will be able to learn and grow is by having a positive outlook, curiosity, and a smile. I have made many silly mistakes, with directions and speaking – I also accidentally called streets (“calles” in Spanish) knives (“cuchillos” in Spanish) when I was asking for directions, but this is okay. I need to put myself out there to grow, and no one is judging me. 

Cosa Rica is a beautiful, diverse, and inviting country, because of both its landscapes and its people. As I learn to live here, I learn to live the Costa Rican way. There is a saying here, “Pura Vida,” which translates to “pure life,” but I entirely agree with BBC’s statement that this saying signifies “a sense of wellbeing, positivity and gratitude” (https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240227-pura-vida-costa-ricas-uniquely-positive-outlook-on-life). For these next two months, I can’t wait to learn about the students, the studies, and the culture here at EARTH, taking it all in bit by bit with an open heart and open mind. 

(EARTH University - 06/04/2024)

Soon, I will have the opportunity to explore topics and choose a focus for my research project. I can’t wait to tell you about the interesting studies I explore :)

Ciao! Until next time (hasta la próxima)!