Costa Rica: Kim Lux
Program: UW Spanish Language in Costa Rica, Summer
Kim’s Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
The classes I took in Costa Rica at Máximo Nivel were quite different from the ones I’ve taken at UW–Madison, mainly in terms of format. At Máximo Nivel, there was much less emphasis on homework and a much stronger focus on conversation-based learning. It was refreshing to experience such a hands-on, interactive style of teaching—we went on lots of field trips (both in and outside of San José), played games in Spanish, and overall just had a lot of fun in class!
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
One of the most memorable experiences from my study abroad program in Costa Rica was visiting La Fortuna. On weekends, the other students in my program and I explored different regions of the country, and during our third weekend, we traveled to La Fortuna—a small town located a few hours north of San José. We wound our way through the mountains and were greeted by stunning views of the Arenal Volcano each time we passed through the town. It was incredible to interact with locals and practice our Spanish in real-world settings outside the classroom. We also traveled with other students from Maximo Nivel and had a great time bonding throughout the trip. One highlight was getting a volcanic body wrap and full massage at Spa Kinereth with my friends. The rest of the weekend was filled with ziplining, swimming beneath waterfalls, and relaxing in the free Rio Chollín hot springs. It was a magical experience, and I would wholeheartedly recommend visiting La Fortuna to anyone—student or otherwise!
I would highly recommend studying in Costa Rica at Máximo Nivel! The staff there are kind, welcoming, and incredibly helpful—whenever I needed support with anything, I always felt comfortable asking, and they encouraged it every step of the way.
How did your identities impact your experience? What advice would you give to students with similar identities who are considering a similar experience?
As a half-Filipino, half-Caucasian woman with a tan complexion, many people in Costa Rica assumed I was Latina. In some ways, this actually worked in my favor, as people would often start speaking to me in Spanish right away, which gave me more opportunities to practice. The only challenge was that, especially early on, my Spanish was still pretty basic, and I struggled to keep up with how fast people spoke at their natural pace. Overall though, I’d say my identity helped me fit in more easily, and it honestly made me feel safer and more accepted throughout my experience! My biggest piece of advice is that if you don’t understand something the first time, just say so! It’ll save you a lot of awkward moments. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to slow down—it’s totally normal, and people are usually more than happy to help.
What is the moment you are most proud of?
The moment I’m most proud of during my time in Costa Rica was going to the hospital alone in San José. Unfortunately, I developed a double ear infection after my trip to La Fortuna (while I highly recommend visiting the hot springs, I do NOT recommend putting your head under the water!). I ended up having to visit the emergency room on a Sunday. Although it was intimidating at the time, the experience ultimately strengthened my confidence in myself and my ability to handle stressful situations in unfamiliar environments. While it definitely wasn’t my favorite part of the trip, it was fascinating to see how different the healthcare system is here compared to what I’m used to in the United States.
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
The biggest challenge I faced while preparing to study abroad was my tendency to procrastinate. I put off completing important documents and also delayed practicing my conversational Spanish, which I definitely wish I had started earlier. Once I arrived in Costa Rica, the language barrier became my biggest challenge. I strongly recommend having at least a basic foundation in Spanish before coming—it’ll make things easier for you and more respectful for those around you. That said, even if you don’t know much at first, you’ll absolutely pick up at least some Spanish while you’re here. It’s basically unavoidable when you’re immersed in it!