After my first week here, I’m beginning to think that I’ve forgotten what is “normal” to me. I hear the other students talking about the things that have shocked them and what they think is just “so weird” and I realize that I expected these shocking things to happen. And then I realized that when these shocking things happened, I didn’t even give them a moment’s thought. For example, we saw a woman being harassed the other day while we were in San José. She had been sitting alone and three men approached her and I can only assume that they treated her as if she were a prostitute. But she didn’t say anything to them and at one point when one man reached out to touch her knee, she merely moved her leg out of his reach and then all three men left. I could sympathize with her, but I didn’t think anything more of it. Later on, I heard one of the girls who had witnessed this describing it to her boyfriend and she used the words “it was so intense.” After being followed to and from school at least twice a week last semester and being hesitant to even look people in the eye, I felt that this was a low-key harassment. I would have much preferred to go through what this Costa Rican woman had gone through than to how I was treated in Morocco. Here, once it was made clear that the woman was not a prostitute, the men just left her alone. In Morocco, whether you were treated as a prostitute or not, you were not left alone until the men tired of following you, talking to you, yelling at you, etc. (which could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 45 minutes).
I also haven’t been shocked by things like the traffic, which seems tame even though we have almost been in accidents at least 5 times and we drove for 32 minutes on a slashed tire. Having less personal space hasn’t bothered me at all either. I am so used to eating dinner with my host family members almost sitting on my lap and having their plates of food overlapping mine so that more than once the backs of our hands would brush against the food on someone else’s plate. When our professor here stands only 16 inches away from us while giving us a tour, I look around and realize that I’m the only one who isn’t backing away. Other students were bothered by their host mother coming in to clean their rooms and make their beds, and even to rearrange their clothes. Granted, my host mother has only entered my room to sweep it, but I would hardly be bothered if she did more. Last semester, my host sister would usually help herself to whatever was in my closet that she felt like playing with, including clothes, medicine, pens, textbooks, and my laptop.
I am not sure how I feel about not being shocked by these things and more. On one hand, I feel like it’s no big deal. I have traveled before and I have no doubt that these experiences once did shock me and that I did think certain things were weird. On the other, it makes me feel a bit worried. I like traveling. I like experiencing new cultures and new perspectives. But I also like returning home. I like my American culture and I like identifying myself as an American. So when other students here are shocked and I am not, what does that mean for me when I do return home? Will I not be shocked by things that should be shocking back home? Or, what if I am the one shocking people back home with my behavior? When I returned home last semester, I repeatedly sat down next to my mom on the couch and more than once she asked me to move over a little because I was too close to her. I hadn’t felt too close to her at all! This goes both ways too – I’ve also been shocked by things that other students felt were normal, like the tight clothes women wear here and men and women holding hands and making out in public. I was startled when my host mother asked me if I would be going to the bar last night. When I said no, she was the shocked one. When my host family assumed that I would be showering every day, I was also shocked. Last semester, it wasn’t strange if you and your host family only showered once a week. A shower everyday now seems like a lot, when last year it wasn’t strange if I showered twice a day. I don’t mind understanding more about another culture, but I wish it were easier to still understand my own.
Hey Grace,
ReplyDeleteThis is Jackie Hartle (we went to Ghana together over the summer). I'll be following your blog this semester as part of my LEAD 203 class.
First of all, WOW, this is a really intriguing insight. I've had the opportunity to travel, but have never lived anywhere other than the US (so I guess you can say I've never had to worry about adopting other cultural norms) so I really appreciate that you've mentioned this because I've never thought about this type of thing happening.
Now, on to my "scholarly" comment/question. In class we've been reading "The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman in which he says that the world has become flat due to modern technology. Would you, with having traveled and lived in several different countries around the world, agree with this claim that Friedman has made? Are there any examples that come to mind that either demonstrate or conflict with this statement?
I tend to disagree with his statement because I feel he is ignoring a large chunk of the global population that has no access to the modern technology that he claims is making the world flat, but seeing as how you've had more in depth experiences I'd like to know what your thoughts on Friedman's theory are.
Thanks Grace! Have a good time in Costa Rica!
- Jackie
GRACIE. I am so glad to hear from you. First of all, your post had such great insight about adaptation to cultures, and things like that. I remember stuff like that in Germany - stuff that, by December seemed completely normal, but others, especially Americans, thought was crazy. Although, I do have to agree with you - what if you are missing out on great cultural experiences because you have seen them for so long?
ReplyDeleteOk, to questions... I wanted to ask you alittle bit about similarities between Morocco and Costa Rica. I mean, you talked both on the blog and with me about what could almost be seen as sexual harassment (and probably was, at times). Why do you think this is so common in both countries? Are they patriarchal societies, where men are used to getting what they want? Also, do you feel you have to be less sensitive to it as a woman (i.e. not get freaked out/scared, but instead ignore it) and take it all with a grain of salt? And lastly, do you feel discriminated against there/did you feel discriminated against in Morocco because you were a (fun-sized) white female?
Have a blast, can't wait to hear from you. :) Enjoy the warm weather there!
Hi Grace! I miss seeing you on campus! I am following your blog for Lead 203. I am really excited because I spent some time in Costa Rica over the summer. First of all, San Jose is a very dangerous place and I hope you are being very careful! I saw women being harassed all the time and everyone warned me to be careful in San Jose. So please be careful :) My host family was very clingy. I can totally relate to that. My "sister" found my camera and she just thought that was the greatest thing in the world. I never really did see it much after she discovered it. How would you describe Costa Rica's cultural acceptance of space? My experience seemed that they were overly friendly. People were always saying "Pura Vida!" I am also very interested in the similarities and differences of Morocco and Costa Rica? I think it's very interesting to compare countries and I am eager to hear what you have to say about the two. Also, because Costa Rica is becoming a little more developed and as Thomas Friedman says "The World is Flat," I'm interested to know.. are you noticing a lot of english speakers? Where I was, there werent many at all. But I was in the more rural area on the west coast. Since you're closer to San Jose, maybe you can give me some insight on this? Thanks Grace! Looking forward to hearing from you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Grace,
ReplyDeleteI'm Leslie Jaynes, I'll be following your blog for LEAD 203. I have really enjoyed reading your blog thus far. I am really excited to continue following your experiences in Costa Rica. I really like how you have related your experience in Costa Rica with your experience in Morocco.
I saw that you are a biology minor, I am a biology major/environmental science minor... I was just curious if there was a noticeable difference between how people act towards preserving environmental health? In the states many have felt the pressure to take part in environmental efforts and I was curious if a less developed country has similar interests and/or pressures?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Lauren Yanko and I am a sophomore in the leadership program. As a Spanish minor, I am especially excited to be following your blog. In high school, I studied Latin, but my friends would always talk about a mission trip they took to Mexico every year. Without even being there, I felt in love with the culture. The people seemed so close and so happy despite having little to nothing compared to the Americans who visited them.
In Lead 203, we are reading Friedman's "The World is Flat". I have been intrigued by all of the world connections I am learning about. Although the culture in Costa Rica seems a bit different than it does in Mexico, I am still getting a sense of closeness and loyalty from your posts. I was wondering if the people there seem generally happy and without worries. I enjoy how down to earth the Hispanic culture seems from listening to my friend's travels (Mexico, Guatemala, etc.), and was interested to know if it is similar in other Spanish-speaking locations. Why do you think the culture is so low-stress compared to America? Do you feel that your host family is very trusting?
Your pictures are beautiful and I cannot wait to learn more. Have fun!
Lauren Yanko :)
Grace! It's nice to see you are enjoying your Costa Rican experience so far. I went there with the Biology Department somewhere before last and had a blast!
ReplyDeleteYou should hit up the natural history museum in San Jose for sure and any markets you can find!
Food wise I recommend anything guanabana flavored and horchata. Chan is okay, but looks a little weird!
Also, are you looking to travel throughout the country? We went to some great spots and if you are interested I could get some details for you!
GRACE!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, we had a long talk in class the other day about culture shock, and that seems to be a general focus of your concerns. I wasn't familiar with culture shock until Dr. McManus had it explained to our class, but I think just your ability to recognize it is going to be very helpful upon your return home. I just wanted to tell you that when you get back, we need to catch up on some serious cream soda action.
Which brings me to my own curiosity question regarding our particular situation and leadership: Is Type 1 diabetes an issue where you've traveled thus far? Is it a hot topic, or rarely discussed at all. I mean, I know the news concerning insulin here is hard to get unless you search specifically for it, but I just wanted to know if you've come across anything at all, or if it health care is on the minds of government leaders in Costa Rica.
Thanks,
Brendan George
Jackie – I’m really not sure how I feel about how “flat” the world has become. I think it’s amazing how connected we have become. In Morocco, portable internet was all over before I was even aware that it was a option. And in all of the shantytowns we saw, almost every residence had a satellite dish. And in Costa Rica, most of the products I see are the same ones we have at home. I understand what Friedman means when he says that the world is flat, but to me this also implies that every one all over the world is on an equal level in terms of technology, knowledge, availability of resources, and a number of other factors and that is certainly not true.
ReplyDeleteCarls! – The harassment here is quite different from what I experienced in Morocco. In Morocco, I got the sense that it was more due to the images that the men had of American women and that we must all be sexually promiscuous, regardless of what we look like, how we dress, or how we behave and that the men who harassed you either wanted a good time, or a wife (a.k.a. a Visa). In Costa Rica – well, I really haven’t been here long enough to give you a good answer but a student’s host mother told her that the catcalls here are a way of just saying, “you look good!” She said it was a way of supporting someone, kind of like wishing them a good day. For the moment, I think I agree with her. Besides, these kinds make me feel pretty. :-P Also, the same mother also said that women do this to men, although I haven’t heard any yet. In Costa Rica, it’s not uncommon to find women as the heads of households. Single mothers don’t seem to attract any discrimination (at least, not any that I’ve picked up on). Being a Costa Rican woman seems much more empowering than being a Moroccan woman, but if you like, you should ask me about this later on when I can maybe tell you more.
Rachel – I haven’t noticed that many English speakers where I’m staying, but there were definitely more around the San Jose area. But just because I haven’t noticed any doesn’t mean that people don’t know any English. I just found out yesterday that my host sister’s boyfriend (who has been over to the house probably at least once every day) has been taking English classes for about 4 years now and he is quite capable of carrying on a conversation in English. One of my host sisters has taken classes for 7 years, but insists that she still can’t speak any of the language. This shocked me, but then my host mother said that the host families are under strict instructions to only speak with us in Spanish, so her ability to speak English may be higher than she gives herself credit for. I’m assuming family friends know this as well, because the boyfriend also told me that he shouldn’t be speaking to me in English. In terms of personal space – they speak closer and walk closer together than we would in the US, but my host family has also been very polite about entering my room for whatever reason. They have always asked first, even if the door is open.
Leslie – I still don’t know much about this yet, but I’m taking a class called Ecotourism and Conservation, so I’m sure I’ll be able to give you some insight later on in the semester. I think Costa Ricans are well aware of the biodiversity in their country (seeing as how many have already mentioned it to me) but I don’t know how this transfers to thoughts about preservation in their daily lives.
Lauren – I think the people I’ve met have been happy and less stressed compared to Americans. That’s not to say that people don’t worry about money, or jobs, or getting to work on time. But it doesn’t seem like they let those worries influence other aspects of their lives. On the other hand, there is a lot of crime in Costa Rica, even against Costa Ricans, not just tourists. One of my professors told us it is because Costa Rica’s laws are for a country that just produces bananas and coffee, and when that started to change in the 1980’s, the laws didn’t change to meet the situation and now the government has very little control over the security of its people. I feel like this would cause some people at least some stress knowing that you’re likely to be robbed on your way home if you’re walking alone or when it’s dark…but the people around me don’t seem to act stressed about it, just aware of the situation and concerned that I am too.
already mentioned it to me) but I don’t know how this transfers to thoughts about preservation in their daily lives.
Diana - Thank you for the tips. I've already tried both guanabana and horchata and loved them both! I would love to know more about where you traveled while you were here since we do do a lot of traveling on our own.
Diabetic - I'm not sure what the government here has been doing in terms of health care yet, but I do know that Diabetes isn't uncommon and people gerenally seem to be aware of what it is and how it works (as opposed to last semester when my host mother informed me that sugar was good for me and I needed more of it...). My host mother is a Type 2 Diabetic and she is very interested in how I'm doing. She told me just this morning that she saw a news feature on the insulin pump (which is practically nonexistent in Costa Rica) and her conclusion was that it's marvelous. In terms of traveling, my being diabetic hasn't been too much of a problem - just a hassel because I have to bring everything I might possibly need in 4 months with me when I leave the US.