Everyone at Linfield is encouraged to study abroad for a semester or at the very least a January term. But have you ever considered a full year?

On Oct. 29, senior Carrie Skuzeski gave a presentation all about her year abroad in Costa Rica and Spain.

As she planned to minor is Spanish, Skuzeski decided to go to Costa Rica. Little did she know, she would fall in love with the culture and the language there so much so that she wouldn’t be ready to go home when her semester came to and end. So instead, she made her way to Spain.    

One of the main reasons to travel abroad is to gain more knowledge about the language you have been learning to speak. Being around others who communicate with nothing other than that language, which was Spanish is Carrie’s case, can help you not only learn how to speak and understand it better, but also to know how the culture works. Carrie explained that she actually had to learn how to show her personality while speaking Spanish. This goes for all languages and is something not many of us realize until we step out of the United States.

As everyone can assume, going abroad is about more than just practicing the language. The experiences you have change your perception and goals.

In addition to the Spanish language, Carrie needed to get used to the customs of each country.

“In Costa Rica no one ever walked barefoot or put toilet paper in the toilet. Also, during spare time it was all about relaxing and just doing whatever came to mind. In Spain, everyone was always up super late; even the younger children. And during free time there, everyone was out and about going to museums and exploring,” Skuzeski said.

One of the great bonuses about traveling abroad is that more often that not, you are not just in the one country. While Skuzeski was in Costa Rica, the group often had a lot of free time and she had the chance to go to Nicaragua, Panama, and the Caribbean side of the country. While in Spain, she took a trip to Barcelona.

Being able to experience these other places, she had a bit of culture shock. Each of the countries had their own beauty and difficulties that Skuzeski explained. The more she learned about the place she was in, she developed a passion toward the environment; specifically the issues that it faces regarding tourism.

“Because I was a tourist, I felt a bit responsible for the issues. It made me think more about how I could help,” Skuzeski said.

She also found new ways to look at herself and how she goes about her life. Both Costa Rica and Spain live by similar mottos.

“Spain lives to indulge in the arts and what is beautiful in life. They have a strong sense of community and respect for one another. They take time and effort to build beautiful things just for the sake of being able to enjoy it when they finish. And I think there is something to be said for living like that,” Skuzeski said. In Costa Rica, it is “Pura Vida” which simply means take it easy and live healthy.

“Don’t doubt yourself; if you’re worried about being afraid, not independent enough, or homesick. Don’t be,” Skuzeski said after being asked her advice as a yearlong traveler she had to give for those who were thinking about studying abroad.