Host Family Is Now Family

During my time in Costa Rica, I was hosted by a local family in a very small, rural, mountain community. The language barrier was very evident, as I didn't speak much Spanish and they hardly knew an English. However, during my two weeks of living with this family and learning their traditions and quirks, I was opened up to a whole new world of communication that didn't necessarily include verbal language. We spoke by gestures and motions in order to understand each other. This was the most unique position ive even been put in; to adapt to a completely different culture with must verbal communication. It was absolutely amazing and challenging. By the end of the trip, when I had to leave them, there was no language barrier needed to interpret tears. We all wept because it was understood, without any words, how much we would all miss each other. That was the most rewarding and impactful part of it all. I now have a new family in a different country that I know cares about me, as I do them.