The greatest cultural experience of my life
I never imagined my first experience out of the U.S. being a one-way ticket to go live in a different country where I did not speak the language. But little did I know that accepting an internship with Outward Bound Costa Rica would provide the greatest cultural experience of my life.
Before coming to Costa Rica, my life had become stagnant and I was looking for a new challenge. After researching different internships, I chose to work with this company because Outward Bound’s passions for service and respecting the environment aligned well with mine. In a remote location in the jungles of Central America, I knew this opportunity was unique and I accepted with enthusiasm.
Interning with Outward Bound Costa Rica has taught me a lot of skills related to my communications major but also so much about myself.
As the Operations and Enrollment Intern, I have been able to gain hands-on experience in an amazing industry that I had known nothing about before. I enjoy learning about the behind the scenes safety and precautionary procedures in place for each course to run smoothly. During my time here, the company will be releasing their new website. A heuristic assignment I was tasked with was creating a press release – a project I knew nothing about but was excited to learn. After some research and coaching from the Director of Marketing and Communications, I was able to craft my first press release that the company will use for the announcement of the new site.
One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to interact with these students
Building these new skills gave me confidence in the industry I will be going into after I graduate and in my ability to problem solve in an unfamiliar environment.
While working in the enrollment department, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know our course participants. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to interact with these students. It is inspiring to meet people my age on course who have chosen to take a semester off to hike across Costa Rica with our organization.
They provided a safe, supportive, learning environment for someone like me who had never left their hometown
Exploring Costa Rica in my time outside of work has been an exciting adventure. Before I arrived, I was nervous about traveling the country on my own because I do not speak Spanish. When I got here and learned more about the beautiful places just a few dollars and hours away, I knew I had to push myself one step further out of my comfort zone or I would miss out on this wonderful country. Everyone I met on my adventures have been ecstatic to help me on my travels and encouraged me to practice my Spanish. A few of my favorite memories have been when a local cut open a coconut for me to try on the beach or when a kind woman helped me find my way to a National Park when I lost my phone.
Costa Rica is filled with incredibly kind people who have helped me navigate through my travels and have given me a genuine cultural experience.
Something that makes this internship so unique is that it is located in a remote part of Costa Rica. Just outside of the small town of Tres Rios, the base is in a secluded part of the luscious rainforest. There is nothing touristy about it. We are fully immersed in the culture when we go into town, especially as most people do not speak English. Being forced to learn Spanish has been the greatest blessing and the best way for me to learn. Ordering food, having casual conversation with locals on the bus, and making new friends out and about in the city has been an amazing, organic learning experience. Practicing Spanish with people I don’t know has been fun, embarrassing, and sometimes just hysterical – the perfect recipe to help me get out of my shell and learn a new language.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to intern abroad with Outward Bound Costa Rica. They provided a safe, supportive, learning environment for someone like me who had never left their hometown. Now with new skills under my belt, a newfound confidence in myself and an appreciation for the incredible world around me, I feel ready for whatever lies ahead.
I highly recommend interning abroad, especially with Outward Bound Costa Rica. The experience is once-in-a-lifetime and the cultural reward is something you cannot substitute.
