My biggest “thing” about traveling abroad or to any unfamiliar city is being a tourist. I hate when friends come back from experiences abroad and they have a camera full of pictures of places I can open up an encyclopedia and see. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to see the historically significant places in different countries. The first time you’re in Paris, you have to see the Eifel Tower. Visiting New York? Go to the Statue of Liberty, and in Costa Rica, visit the beaches. But whenever I go to a foreign land I ask about the people – the people who make up the vibrant culture, the people whom without, the country would just be a monotonous land of rain forests and pretty beaches.

That’s one of the biggest perks about living with a family while abroad. As a visitor, you get a quick, hands-on lesson about the way people in that respective country live. It’s something a museum tour and a history book just can’t teach you. Speaking specifically of Costa Rica, I would recommend a family stay to anyone who wants a real experience in the country and will be staying for any extended period of time.

I’ve only been in San Jose for a week and I can already see my Spanish fluency improving because it’s the only language I hear when I leave work. My host, La Dona Ana, is muy paciente in explaining certain things about the culture and other things I just pick up on because I am actually living with a native of Costa Rica.

Of course, this is a REAL experience – no maid-staffed resorts overlooking the beaches and no congregations of American students all hanging out in apartment-style dorms. These are great experiences as well, but staying with a family gives you a specific insight into the mentality of the country that you may not get otherwise. It’s an ideal situation. You can get an authentic cultural experience, still do all of the travel channel sightseeing you want, and not to mention probably save a couple of bucks. It’s worth considering, especially in a country like Costa Rica where the culture of the people contributes heavily to its charm!

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Filed under: Living on November 18th, 2009