Proctor en Monteverde: Saying Yes in Costa Rica

Five Proctor sophomores are spending their spring term studying abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica – living with host families, taking classes, and immersing themselves in the culture, language, and biodiversity of the region. In their first reflections, Hans, Ellie, Hayes, Justin, and Sierra write about the early moments that define the experience: a Sunday rodeo with a host family, an hour-and-a-half drive to a host brother's soccer game, wrangling a snake off the kitchen floor, stumbling through Spanish at the dinner table, and choosing, again and again, to say yes.

Sierra ’28

Costa Rica is so different from anything I've ever experienced. My favorite part is the homestay. Upon arriving, I was shocked to find out that my family, unlike the others, didn't speak any English. We drove together up a dirt hill so steep that my host dad needed to turn the wheel side to side to even make it up. When we walked in, I was shocked to see that they didn't have full walls or a dining room table. They had never hosted a student before, and they had no idea where New Hampshire was located. After many jumbled Spanish conversations over meals of rice, meat, plantains, and more rice, I opened up to them. We started talking for hours on long car rides, during beautiful sunsets, and just sitting together in their house. It really opened my eyes — they were as shocked to hear about the animals, climate, and people of the East Coast as I was to experience the same here.

I made it a point to say yes to everything. In the week I've lived with my host family, I have tried at least 15 new foods. I have learned to play a güiro, made traditional tortillas, danced the Merengue, seen a gold mine, visited a farm, and participated in a religious parade. My host family is like my kin already. We talk about everything from bad jokes and hobbies to panic attacks and financial security. I love my family because they're real. They clean Airbnbs for a living, but they are the most inspirational people I've met. My experience in Monteverde has shown me that connection doesn't depend on language or lifestyle — it grows from openness, curiosity, and the willingness to truly understand one another.

Hans ’28

On Monday afternoon, we landed at Liberia airport and headed to a local restaurant to get our first Costa Rican lunch of rice and beans. From there, we drove to the beach, Playa Hermosa, and stayed there for two nights. We spent lots of time getting sunburnt at the beach, swimming in the pool, and playing pool. After three days of orientation at the beach, we packed up for the three-hour drive to meet our host families. Having been to Monteverde before, the town wasn't much of a surprise for me; however, meeting the host family on the first afternoon and evening was something I had never experienced before, and it was definitely a very different experience and shift from what I was used to in the US, which was expected. 

Living with a host family is something I had never done before, and it was part of the reason I wanted to go on this program. Throughout the first week, it was a little tricky to get used to living with another family, especially with a language barrier; however, it's also been fun, and I have gotten to have amazing food like more rice and beans, and fresh fruits like bananas and mangos. I have already gotten to go with my family to two of my host brother's soccer games, which were very fun but a longer drive than expected — an hour and a half drive. 

Another highlight was going to the Santa Elena cloud forest and putting up trail cams and hiking the trails. It was amazing to be in a completely different environment compared to back home, and it makes me even more excited for the trip to San Gerardo reserve. While living with the host family has been a highlight, it has also been a struggle at times. With my mediocre Spanish, communicating with my family that speaks very little English has taken a lot of effort and can be very tiring at times. That said, my goal throughout the trip is to improve my Spanish and communication with my family, which, to my surprise, I have already seen a difference, and am hoping I keep improving.

Ellie ’28

During my first week in Monteverde, I have had many new experiences. When we arrived here a week ago, I met my host family: Hellen, Allan, and their daughter Alina. Everyone in the family is very welcoming and kind. Hellen and Allan are excellent chefs, and everything they cook is delicious. Some of my favorite things I've eaten here are rice and beans, squash, and cassava. So far, our group has done many activities. In the first week, we walked around town a bit, visited the local college and met some of the students that study there, got a tour of our school, and got haircuts. 

On Saturday, the group went up to the cloud forest and placed a trap camera to try and record animals while we were here. Later, my host family and I went down the mountain to watch a rodeo. And on Sunday morning, my host family went to church. While they were at church, I was reading in the living room when I heard a quiet sound. I looked in the kitchen, and there was a snake slithering around on the floor! I quickly grabbed a bowl and placed it over the snake. I then dragged the bowl to the front door and out of the house. I released the snake into the garden, and it went away into the plants. I went back to the door, only to realize that I had locked myself outside of the house! I looked for a different way inside, but everything was locked. And so I waited outside until my host family returned home. On Monday, we started school, and tomorrow we will be going on a trip for a day. 

My day to day life here is pretty much the same as at home. I go to school, hang out with my family, and do my hobbies. Not speaking very much Spanish is my biggest challenge, and my main goal for the end of the semester is to get much better at it. Life here is good, and I'm having lots of fun. There isn't anything else I have to say, so that is all for now!

Justin ’28

Wake up, 3:30 AM on a cold, rainy, New England morning, drive almost two hours to Logan International Airport in the middle of Boston, through the traffic of other early risers, to get on a plane. Parking full on every level of the garage except for the highest, which conveniently is the only lot that isn't covered. So, through the rain, my parents and I walked with two suitcases, a backpack, and hopefully enough clothes to last me a little longer than two months away from home. This was something that I had never done before, but as I said goodbye to my parents after checking my bag and walking towards the security gates, I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Putting those nerves aside, all five of us boarded our planes and said goodbye to the end of an unforgiving winter, in hopes that warmer weather was waiting for us. 

Our hopes and much more were answered when we stepped off the plane to nearly 95 degrees and full sun at Liberia airport — maybe we should have hoped for a little less. In reality, our hopes weren't just to escape the weather, but to have an experience that could never be had again. An experience where spending eight weeks away from home was one to never forget, one that felt more similar to "eight weeks creating a new home" where connections grew, and horizons widened. We met our host families, and this last week has been a great start to the spring term. Comparing life here is a lot different than home, but all of these differences are eye-opening, and are only grazing a hope that I had, which was to immerse myself in a different culture. Another hope that I had was to experience how people from different places live and how their lifestyles differ from what I'm used to. 

As I mentioned earlier, I was nervous — definitely nervous — and a major part of that was the idea of a language barrier. After only starting my Spanish learning with Proctor last year, one could imagine it's definitely not the best, but there are many ways to get around that. My host mother and I have resorted to the occasional Google Translate and many, many blank stares while I try to process and she works to make it easier. The final two goals that I have are to improve my Spanish a lot and to be able to do one of the things I love: play soccer, even if it's with someone who has the coordination of a "baby giraffe." So, to many more memories, and undoubtedly more plates of beans and rice to come.

Hayes ’28

The experience of Costa Rica was brought to my attention early in my freshman year, and since then, it has been captivating me with the idea of going off campus. The experiences started early on the Monday morning after March break in Logan. The flight to Liberia was long but easy and went by quickly. The second that we stepped through the sliding doors from customs to baggage claim, the warm climate was very apparent. After having a small wait in baggage claim, we made our way out of the airport, meeting Kathia outside. With that, we drove to grab our first Costa Rican lunch, amidst a battle with the heat of the sun. After lunch, we drove to our hotel, which was next to the beach. We stayed there for the next two nights, living it up in the sun, before moving up to the mountains. These two days were a perfect intro to Costa Rica, showing us the food and culture we were about to live in for the next two months. 

On Wednesday, we met our host families — the anticipation was high, and when the five of us were finally dropped off with our families, that stress lessened, making it easier to get to know everyone. For the next few days, the two other boys (Justin and Hans) and I were talking to Kathia about getting buzzes. After a day of talking, Kathia booked an appointment to meet at my house. After Justin, Hans, and I buzzed our heads, Justin and I brought up the idea of doing "90 days hard," which our conversation ended quickly. Since, in reality, we only had about 60 days and were having fried food almost every day, the sentiment was still there. The next day, we all went to the cloud forest to set up a trail camera and take photos of the wildlife. While on this field trip, we also learned a lot about the ecology of the forest and how they track the number of animals in the forest. 

On my first Sunday, I got to go to a rodeo with my family, which was an incredibly cool experience. This was also a great way to get to know and bond with my host family, though it was very hot. And with that, we entered our first week of classes, which was an exciting experience for the chance to learn in another culture.

Learn More About Proctor en Monteverde, Costa Rica