Crystal St. Germain
- Ripon College
- Costa Rica, Fall 2011
Hometown: Marina, CA
Major: Self-Designed Social Justice
Campus activities, involvement, or other interests: Tango/salsa dancing with my boyfriend (Elliot), Ethical Leadership Program member, animals (especially sea turtles), swimming, working out, violin and flute, singing, acting (most recent, Frenchie in Cabaret)
Why I chose to do this program: I chose this program because I community volunteered in Jamaica for two weeks, and being immersed in a different culture is very beneficial to anyone. Learning about other cultures helps prevent ethnocentrism and create a better understanding of human behavior. I am very excited to learn about the differences between the existence of human rights in Costa Rica and the United States.
What I'm most excited about: I am most excited about how my Spanish-speaking proficiency will flourish during this wonderful experience. To actually be able to carry on flowing conversations with my host family will be a great accomplishment. They are the ones who will be showing me the Costa Rican culture the most, so I want to be able to connect with them without the language barrier. I am a California girl and am accustomed to beautiful beaches, but I am, of course, also excited to see the luscious, blue waters from Costa Rica beaches.
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