Simple Wonders

By:

Zachary Tanner

Published:

Countries

Demographics

Majors

Regions

Well being here Ive been thinking what is important in life, Ive never really thought about my time but now I only have so little to myself. So I really think to myself what should I do with these 30 minutes or an hour. What do I find important in life and if time is the most important thing that I have shouldn’t I use it to do things that really matter like giving back to others. So my real classes started two weeks ago and Im honestly juggling theses classes and sometimes I feel like Im juggling with fire because each day Im in class from 6-8 hours. Then on top of class my teachers give at least 2-3 hours of homework a night , although I’m a student, each day I get is a gift and tomorrow isn’t promised, but after all the homework and tests are done I’m just amazed how I’m persevering and pushing myself through this season. Before I came to Costa Rica I never would have thought these intensive classes would be this intense but I know going back to the States classes will seem like a piece of cake. Each day during a part of the day I just reflect and am amazed at how blessed I am to be here. I mean from dinners talking in Spanish with my mother Tica to dancing classes sharing laughs with my dance partner, because my shoulders have more rhythm than my hips. I would have  never in a million years thought I would be being complimented by Native Spanish speakers on my Spanish, nor would I have thought my mama Tica would have served me fat-back(southern dish) for dinner. I am almost at the half point of my trip and am realizing this season won’t last forever. So I’m taking it a day at a time and when the world tries to throw me lemons when I asked for strawberries I just say Que Torta!(Oh shoot) And make some lemon pound cake with a Pura Vida trademark stamped on top.

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.