My desire for adventure and cultural immersion led me to head off on an AFS exchange year. I was particularly drawn to Costa Rica because of the beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and rich traditions – also, of course, the lizards and coffee. 
As excited as I was, I really had no idea what it was going to be like living with a host family for a year. There was a language barrier and cultural misunderstandings at the beginning, however living with a host family enriched my experience immensely. It took some time, but as we shared daily experiences such as going to church, joining in grocery shopping, and helping with chores, I grew to be comfortable.
School in Costa Rica was both exhilarating and demanding. The language barrier posed difficulties, but I learned to embrace challenges and seek help from teachers and classmates. My classmates and I bonded over group projects and discussions, often comparing our educational systems, which was very interesting. The teaching style in Costa Rica was different from what I was used to back home in New Zealand. But it made classes more engaging as the teachers would occasionally pause mid lesson to joke around or sometimes quiz me about New Zealand.
I was able to explore Costa Rica’s landscapes and see some truly beautiful scenery. AFS helped organise a few trips for us to locations such as the beach, volcanoes, and a forest with local mythic history. One of my favorite trips was with my school. At the end of the school year we went to a really stunning resort for graduation, and on another trip we went to a pool with an amazing view and threw water balloons at each other.
It wasn’t just the big trips that made my exchange special. My everyday life in Costa Rica was filled with simple joys, and cooking with my host mum became a highlight too. I learned to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes like Gallo Pinto and Queso Empanadas, which not only taught me about local cuisine but also brought us closer. I also remember making 30 balloon stress balls with my host siblings for the class of 5 year olds my host Mum taught. But one of my favorite parts of my exchange, has to be all the times my host family and I chatted and laughed in the car together. Whether it was on the way to church, school, or a general errand we would almost always be talking about anything and everything.
Through this journey, I experienced significant personal growth. I became more understanding and emotionally mature, learning to navigate challenges with competent problem solving skills. The experience has taught me valuable lessons about resilience and adaptability. I highly recommend the AFS experience. I have had so much fun and grown so much as a person. I now have many friends all around the globe, and know much more about how the world works.
To future AFS students, I encourage you to dive headfirst into every opportunity. Say yes to new experiences, be open to different routines and cultures, and don’t shy away from challenges. Push through the awkward situations, and always be transparent with your host family.
Best of luck!