I had never left the United States before this trip to Costa Rica, so a lot of my anxiety about it came from the unknown. I had to get a Passport for the first time, and I had never flown alone before, so one of my biggest concerns was the logistics of leaving the country and navigating the airport on my own. I also knew little about the trip and what we would be doing other than some significant hiking, so I purchased some new clothes and hiking boots, borrowed binoculars, and used advice from friends and family on how to pack and prepare for this trip. Before the trip, I wasn’t sure if I would need hiking boots or if I could get by with other shoes, but I learned in less than 2 days abroad that they were essential. Thankfully Costa Rica is country with few diseases not found in the USA, so I didn’t have to prepare with extra vaccinations or any strange medicine. Overall, I think I was well-advised for this trip, and the support of my family was a big help. My parents and my brother both helped me purchase and let me borrow things for trip, so I was prepared for most of the things we did. I was both anxious and excited for the trip after finals were over and we prepared for my departure for the weekend before. I was mostly looking forward to the opportunity to experience a new culture and the chance to see the beauty of a different country. It was totally new for me to get ready for a trip this big, so it was a unique experience; I couldn’t wait to leave the U.S.!
A website from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Student blog
