Costa Rica

Jesse Hyatt
Spanish
Fall 2014

Project Summary
I chose to study abroad in Costa Rica at the Latin
American University of Science and Technology for
my project. Since I am studying Spanish to become a
professor, it is a requirement to travel abroad to a
Spanish-speaking culture in order to gain prestige for
future employment. I wanted to come to Costa Rica
because the people speak with a very clear accent,
thus it is easier for me to improve my Spanish
communication skills. Additionally, the country is
full of natural beauty which I had only seen before in
photos and movies. I wanted to experience first-hand
the culture and environment of this amazing country.

Project Highlights

I had a moment to be interviewed by one of the elders

from Jameikari, Don Urbano. He taught me words in
Cabeca and showed us the place where he lived.

On the weekend of October 18-19, I volunteered for

Compartimes Races, a non-profit organization that
provides service to the indigenous people of Costa
Rica. I spent two days in the mountains with the
Jameikar people in Limn learning about their
agriculture, history, gastronomy and their native
language Cabeca.
This activity was especially amazing because I
participated in cultural immersion not only with
Costa Ricans, but with an indigenous culture. As the
world continues modernizing, indigenous cultures
diminish. However, since I spent time with the
Jameikar people, their legacy will live on through
my testimony, especially in my future classrooms.

From My Journal
We found ourselves on a dried lava bed at the hike
of Volcn Arenal. The rocks were huge and many
plants surrounding the bed covered the terrain in
green. The weather was perfect: not a cloud in the
sky with a light breeze, the sun was shining and it
wasnt too hot. But I felt like an ant at the base of the
volcano. It was massive!

There were nine of us in the group when we spent the

day hiking in the jungle and the base of Volcn Arenal.
Costa Rica has many volcanoes found within its borders.