Pura Vida
Most people understand why they came to this world at some point in their lives. Whether it be the minute they were born or the second they die. Luckily in my case, I understood at the ripe age of sixteen. In the late sweltering heat of June, I brought just a carry-on to LAX to embark on the journey that would introduce my purpose. As I studied and experienced the Costa Rican lifestyle, I began to twist the knobs to the doors of culture. Understanding that from then on, it was my duty to learn, accept, and completely embrace the ways of life that people very different than me live. This exhilarating concept, that not everyone lives their life the same way, is what altered my life forever. Changing my thought process and opening my mind to new ideas and concepts.
As soon as I stepped into el aeropuerto internacional de San José with my Spanish teacher and a few other students, all we could see were the words "Pura Vida" stamped on almost everything: souvenirs, billboards, taxis, buildings, you name it. Pura vida, literally translating to pure life, is the slogan of Costa Rica. I didn't understand this for many days, but as I learned more about the Costa Rican lifestyle I began to comprehend what it really meant and started to live by it. Pura vida is a lifestyle in which you completely embrace life and live it to its fullest. You indulge in life completely, knowing it will slip from your grasp way too soon. Pura vida means to experience life from many different angles, if an opportunity is available, take it! I took the pura vida attitude back to America with me, to teach my friends and family a new lifestyle. Although many don't live by it, it's a good concept to at least keep in mind and use in situations that may arise.
Although I only spent ten days in Costa Rica, it was enough to be pushed through the doors of culture, completely immersed in music, smells, food, language, dance, customs, economy, and all the parts of life that make a civilization different. Those ten days were enough to change my life. From then on, I knew I needed to educate myself so I could go out and explore life. My immersion in cultures will make me, as a UF student, driven to learn and be successful. I feel that it is my responsibility in life to learn and experience the world and teach others different customs. I've been a gator since I was two years old and it would be my honor to make an impact as a bilingual student to the culture and service of the gator nation and it's community. Nothing will stop me in my quest to explore and learn.