spotlight on honors

Honors Students Abroad

Shelby - San Jose, Costa Rica

Junior, Spanish and Criminology & Criminal Justice majors

JANUARY 2013

Hi :)  I’m Shelby Kitch and I am a Junior from Indiana State University.  I am currently studying abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I am a double major: Criminal Justice and Spanish.  I chose to come to Costa Rica because I LOVE warm weather and because I wanted to immerse myself in the Spanish language.

It is hard to believe that 2 quick weeks have already passed!  But first, let’s start from the beginning : )  I left on January 5 to come to San Jose.  I arrived here late that night.  My heart and stomach were in knots with anticipation and the thought of the unknown.  However, now that I am settled in and know my “mama tica” and roommate much better, I am really starting to genuinely enjoy myself.  Costa Rican host moms are referred to as mama ticas, fyi.  Our first weekend here we went to the Caribbean ocean, the second weekend we went to a Volcano and the La Paz waterfalls.  This weekend we’re off to the Pacific Ocean.  I have made some great friends here from America and have even met some local Costa Ricans, aka ticos.  One of my Tico guy friends took my friends and I to a national “futbol” or soccer game this past Friday.  It was a great night.  The language barrier was a bit daunting at first, but is slowly becoming easier.  Now I just need to start speaking the language more.  I honestly love this experience so far and believe it has taught me so much already.  I thought I was independent at Indiana State University, but here is an all new level of independence.  Such as, not knowing how to get from point A to point B, where the local store is to buy shampoo, conditioner, etc.  You feel very helpless at points, but this is part of what makes this so great.  I have grown so much in two weeks alone and am thankful for that.  I hope everyone's semester is going great.  I can’t say I miss the 20 degree weather everyone back home is having : ) Waking up to sunshine every morning has its perks!

Costa Rican National Soccer Game vs. Belize with some new friends plus Devon : )

Vamos a la playa, Puerto Viejo : )

Butterfly Garden!

La Paz Waterfalls

For more information about studying abroad, please visit ISU's Study Abroad website or contact Janis Halpern, Study Abroad Program Director, at (812) 237-3427 or Janis.Halpern@indstate.edu.