Today was my last day student teaching which means I just concluded my senior year of college. It is so crazy how that a little over a year ago I decided to start research on student teaching abroad. It was such a tiny thought in my mind then but now I can say it was a reality. I got to spend an entire semester in Costa Rica, teaching, traveling, and learning so much more than I ever thought was possible. I grew to love each and every single one of my 20 students and I had the privilege of working with a great first grade team. They all made me feel so welcome to their school and this country. I can't say for certain what my next steps in life will be but I know for sure travel will be in the books somewhere. Thanks to everyone that followed my journey here in Costa Rica, and here's to many (many) more!
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Alright friends and family, the countdown to my return has begun.
April 29 is the day I fly back to Atlanta. Which means I'm down to just 15 days in Costa Rica. Only 5 of those days will I be with my students. The other ten I will be finishing up in other places in CR. This semester has flown by. I have seen/done so much and I have grown as a person and adult. Within three months I have traveled to three different countries, met so many people, and reflected on my life. I have taken the past semester to really think about my future and the things I want to do in my life in the long hall of things. Teaching is still my passion and choice of a career (don't stress mom and dad) but teaching in the States just doesn't seem fitting at the moment. I'm contemplating my options of teaching at an International school or teaching English abroad. Both of these allow me to travel and immerse myself in the unknown. Which those are two things I want in my life. At least for now. We will see where the wind carries me off too in the next few months. I'm sure it will be an adventure no matter where I go. Guanacaste is a gorgeous place. It is in the northern part of Costa Rica and on the Pacific side. I had never seen such beautiful and clear water in all my life until Tamarindo. Nicole and I got to make this trip with some of the other teachers at Lincoln. We stayed at a nicer place and got to ride in cars to the beach instead of taking the buses. The whole way there was beautiful. I got a few pictures of one area at dusk on the drive up there. I felt like I was living in National Geographic! So unreal. While in Tamarindo we hit up some other beaches. Saturday night on the way back to the hotel we stopped at an Italian Restaurant. The best pizza and calzones we have had in a long time!!! We are still dreaming of that food! How can you not fall in love with that picture? If you ever visit Costa Rica, Guanacaste area is a definite must see! P.S. Tamagringo: This is a nickname for Tamarindo because you see a lot of Gringos in this town. Definitely a huge travel spot for people from the states.
I saw this today on Facebook and it really made me think.
"If your goals don't scare you, they're too easy." How perfect is this? Goals should be something that challenge you and a challenge should be a little scary...because it is something you've never done or tried. Don't reach for things that are easy to grasp, expand yourself and reach for the things you have to jump to get. As of now my goal for when I graduate is to teach abroad. This terrifies me in so many ways. I could end up in any country where they speak a different language, and I'm away from my friends and family. But at the same time this excites me. I have the chance to do what I want in life. Teach and learn about the world around me. I have the freedom to do this and I am so grateful for it. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. - Steve Jobs Pura Vida mi amors, Steph |
I am 22 years old. Teaching and traveling in Costa Rica.
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