Youth Voices: Change, Knowledge and Thank You
Being in a different country, cultural, and language you would expect a lot to change about yourself. I haven’t noticed any change in myself because I was immersed into that years ago. Yes, this is my first time being in a different
country, but it's not my first time seeing different cultures, languages, and people. Being raised by a military personnel I was introduced to many different people, cultures, and languages. I have lived from corner to corner and went to school in the middle of the United States, this is why I crave difference and diversity.
I have learned so much about Costa Rica’s history while being here. At the Jade Museum I learned that there were not many people here in the beginning nor when it was colonized, so there is not that much that was preserved and not much history. I also learned that on the Caribbean side of the country is where they drop off slaves from the slave trade when they were on their way to the US. There is a province in Costa Rica called Lemon and that's where the Native Americans and descendants of African and other Caribbean live and they have their own language, its Spanish + English + French all mixed together. I also learned about the racial divide between Latino and black and Latino and Native American. Funny enough I am mixed with both black and Native American. It's sad to know there is still racial division between both of my heritages but it's better that I know and learn then not. I am grateful that I was around people that care to teach all of Costa Rican history and not just the good parts. I am grateful that I was also able to share my culture's history with these great people Maria Paula and Paula. We were able to teach each other, with no fear or judgement...[CONTINUE READING]