Coming To An End

By:

Zachary Tanner

Published:

Countries

Demographics

Majors

Regions

I have one month left in Costa Rica, and as the end of this journey of my life comes to close I have a question for myself. How have I changed? Has this trip to another country changed me in a positive way, have I developed myself to become a better me? Honestly who can answer these questions I don’t even think I can answer these questions about myself. My only hope and prayer is that the lives that I came in contact with here, that they saw the Glory of God through me. Better is the end of a matter than the beginning. So in this last month here in Costa Rica I pray I find peace and solace in the fact that I came, I saw, I conquered. I think to myself sometimes that once this is over its over and theres no getting this time back. I honesty thank God that for four months of my life He gave me the courage to spend it in a different country. Its funny sometimes how one can feel discouraged even when conquering great exploits. I know that during this trip I had moments of sorrow, discouragement, and even doubt. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. One thing I do know about me that has changed since being  here is that Im not ashamed of my God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I remember people told me I shouldn’t proclaim my faith in my blog but at this point in my life if I cant exalt the One who has kept me throughout this journey who am I. So I guess I have grown while here in Costa Rica and I pray I continue to grow even when my plane touches down in the United States on December 20th. Be Blessed and may God’s face shine upon you.

Zachary Tanner

Hello, my name is Zachary Phillip Tanner. I am a junior Political Science student at North Carolina A&T State University. I never thought I would study abroad; I was under the impression that anywhere other than America had nothing to offer me. I grew up in Washington D.C and the rising Hispanic population always caught my attention. Realizing that this isn’t a black and white world but a world filled with different kinds of people and culture, I came to the realization that the world outside of America did have something to offer something America couldn’t. I choose to study abroad in Costa Rica because I wanted to go to Latin America and experience the “Pura Vida” life style. I also want to graduate from College fluent in Spanish; being immersed in the Costa Rican environment and culture will surely help my development. After I graduate from college I plan to give back by applying for a teaching position with Teach for America. I want to be an example to my peers and other young adults; showing them that stepping outside the box is extremely cool and being linguistically diverse is possible and rewarding. Studying abroad will give me the opportunity to have that connection with Hispanic students because I will know their native language and I will have experienced a part of their culture. I will be a role model to kids because they will see through me anything is possible. I’m just achieving my goals as they come.