Laura Procario

International Experience Country:
Costa Rica
Cohort Year:
2009
Home Institution:

Washington & Jefferson College

Heinz Programming Area:
Arts and Culture
International Experience Summary:

Laura Procario studied in San Jose, Costa Rica.  She took classes ranging from Advanced Oral and Written Spanish to Latin American Culture at the Latin American University for Science and Technology.  She stayed with a beautiful and gracious host family and could not have asked for more from them.  Laura was able to experience numerous parts of Costa Rica.  She visited both the Pacifica and Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.  She also had quite an adventure when her host family took a road trip to the Nicaraguan border.  But her favorite trip by far was to Volcan Arenal.  It was her first time seeing a volcano and to make it even better the volcano was active.  She saw lava flow down the side of the volcano at night which made up for the fireworks that she had missed from the Fourth of July in the U.S.  Laura was able to practice her Spanish with the Costa Ricans she encountered on a daily basis and more she met while traveling.  She was surprised by the tranquility of the people and the culture.  The simplicity of life that they practiced is something that she hopes to apply to her life in the future.  She will always remember the motto of a vivacious Costa Rican she met, “Pura Vida a la derecha, Paz a la izquierda.”  Pure life to the right, Peace to the left.     

Community Engagement Experience Summary:

CEE Title: Christmas Customs Around the World