Jocelynn Vigil-Madrid - Blog Abroad
Blog #1
After a seven-hour journey, I arrived in Costa Rica. I departed from the Albuquerque International Sunport, then to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and finally arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport. My first impression of Costa Rica was its greenery, rain, and humidity. Once I collected my luggage and made it past immigration and customs, I went outside and found my transportation, which took me directly to my homestay. Upon arrival, I was greeted and welcomed by my host mom, whom I now refer to as my “Mamá Tica.” She immediately offered me a meal and began to explain the rules and dynamics of the household. The next morning, I met the rest of the family, including the father and their young daughter. I have my own space in an apartment that is connected to my host family’s house. The apartment consists of two bedrooms and a bathroom. I really enjoy the dynamic of the household and feel that it works perfectly for me. For the first month, I will be living alone in the apartment. However, at the end of September, I will be joined by a roommate, who is also an American college student. I am glad that I will experience both living abroad independently and sharing the experience with a roommate. I chose to live in a homestay because I wanted the most immersive and authentic experience possible. I am currently studying abroad at Universidad Veritas in San José, Costa Rica. When people think of Costa Rica, they often imagine the beaches and the jungle. However, many overlook the cities in the Central Valley, where most of the population lives. San José is an interesting place. Certain parts slightly remind me of a borough in New York City. Although it is considered a large city, it has a sense of community. Within San José, there are many barrios. These neighborhoods include small mercados, carnicerías, cevicherías, farmacias, and sodas. You can find a soda in almost every barrio. A soda is a small, affordable, family-owned restaurant. They typically serve traditional “Tico”-style meals, though you can also find options such as hamburgers, chicken strips, fries, and pizza. Overall, my initial experiences in Costa Rica have been welcoming and educational. I look forward to adapting to and learning from the “Tico’” lifestyle throughout the semester. Arrival in Costa Rica!
September 2025
Blog #2
After a month in San José, I finally feel more accustomed to life in Costa Rica. Throughout the first month, I have completed an intensive Spanish course. As a Chicana, I have a Spanish background. Furthermore, the Spanish language courses and immersion have significantly improved my speaking and communication abilities. I have also grown closer to my host family. I love talking with them and listening to their stories. My Spanish has been improving simply by speaking strictly in Spanish, as this is one of the rules in my homestay. My familia Tica is always giving me recommendations and advice, which I very much appreciate. One of the things I enjoy most about the city is the mercados. My favorite is Mercado Municipal in Cartago. In these mercados, you can find fruits that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Some of these native fruits include Cas, Naranjilla, Zapote, Jocote and Guaba. My favorite is Cas. To me it tastes like a mix between a green apple, a pear and a lime. It is a perfect refreshment for the warm temperatures here. Cartago is another city in the Central Valley, about fourty-five minutes away from San José. Cartago was the first capital of Costa Rica. It is often recognized for the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. I love visiting all the churches, as they are beautiful and I find that they bring me comfort and peace. The food is delicious! My familia tica provides me with desayuno and cena. A common Costa Rican desayuno is Gallo Pinto. Gallo Pinto is a mixture of leftover rice and beans, typically served with a fried egg. For almuerzo, I often go to a Soda, where I will order a Casado. A Casado is a traditional Costa Rican plate which includes meat or fish, with rice, beans, salad and fried plantains. I find that the way my familia Tica cooks is similar to the way my family cooks in New Mexico. On the weekends, I like to explore outside of San José. There are many good hiking spots that are close to the city. You can also often find breathtaking waterfalls. I find this time in nature to be a good break from the city, and a good way to reset for the next week. I can’t wait to explore even further and see the coasts! Life in San José!
November 2025
