The best thing was growing as a person

Jenny from Norway went on exchange to Costa Rica. We asked her about her experience.

Why did you go on exchange?

I have always wanted to go on an exchange, it started when I was little. My sisters told me about their exchanges and experiences traveling the world. My dream has always been to travel, and an exchange year is the perfect way to do that. Also, it gave me the opportunity to see what high school is like in another country and how different lives other teenagers have. An exchange year taught me about the world in a different way than sitting on the school bench in Norway.

Where did you go and why?

I went to Costa Rica because I wanted to learn Spanish, because of the beautiful nature, and because the culture is so different from my home country (Norway).

How was it to live with a host family?

My host family was very big and gave me a warm welcome. I still have contact with them and we are planning for me to visit them. Of course, we had our disagreements due to the big cultural differences, but generally, things went well, and I am very grateful that I had this host family.

How was school?

School was a lot of fun! My school had a lot of animals, everything from crocodiles to raccoons. I was put in the best class ever, and my classmates became my best friends. Everyone was very welcoming and inclusive, and I learned a lot of my Spanish in school. I went to public school, and the education level was not very high, but I learned a lot of Spanish, a lot about the country, and about the people who live there.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

I tried a lot of activities in my spare time, such as swimming and Tae Bo. I also helped my host parents take care of the children and spent a lot of time with the family. Sometimes I went to my friend’s house to study, since we were almost neighbors.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

For me, it was very easy to make friends. I was lucky to come to a great class, and my classmates were very inclusive. It was a little difficult to make deep connections, because of the language barrier. But, things got easier after a few months and I never had any real problems making friends.

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

The biggest challenge for me was the language, but little by little I learned Spanish. My host family and friends did not know English, which “forced” me to learn the language, because there was no other option. I am very proud to have learned the language in 10 months, and now my Spanish is better than my English.

What was the best thing about your exchange year?

The best thing about my exchange year was growing as a person and learning about the world in a new way.

What’s your best memory?

My best memory was my first trip with the other exchange students. We went to Ostional in Guanacaste, with is one of the prettiest parts of the country. We woke up at 4 am to see the baby turtles go into the sea. It was the best trip I have ever had.

What are your main learnings?

My main learnings are the language, and that people are different and that is okay. It could be difficult to discuss with people, especially the older generation, which tends to be more traditional and does not want to hear other opinions. I learned that it’s not necessary to discuss with everyone, that not everyone wants to see your point of view, and that it is okay.

Can you recommend going?

Yes definitely. An exchange is great for almost everyone, but I recommend Costa Rica for people who are patient and careful. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, but it is extremely important to be careful and follow safety precautions. Also, people might have very different opinions than you, and the cultural differences can be very big.

Why should anyone go on exchange?

An exchange helps you gain a better understanding of the world, it shows you beautiful places, and you will meet great people. You learn about the world, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

Any advice?

Listen to your host family and their advice. They know the country and what is safe and what is not

How will your exchange affect your future?

Well, I just came back from my 2 months Erasmus exchange to Spain. I don’t think that would have happened without my time in Costa Rica! Now I am in Norway for three months to do my exams and graduate. After I graduate in June, I will go back to Costa Rica.

My exchange has made me mature as a person and gotten me in contact with so many people that I cannot wait to meet again. My exchange also gave me a sense of independence, and I feel a lot more confident.

Why did you choose STS?

I chose STS because they had a lot of countries to choose from, they were very kind about the Covid-19 situation and let me cancel and still get my money back, which other organizations did not let me do. I also got a very good impression of STS in my interview. Also my sister traveled with STS and had a good experience.

Were you happy with STS?

I was very happy with STS, so happy that now we are hosting an STS exchange student from Mexico.