CPI Chaperone 2012- No make-up + "Costa Rica Hair" = My summer look : )
This is long overdue, but I might as well try. : ) Once a summer I like to give an overview of what I do here in Costa Rica and why I continue to return verano after verano.
Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (or CPI for short) is a language immersion school that teaches Spanish to students of any age and ability who want to come to Costa Rica and learn. The school is based on full language and cultural immersion so we have small class size (max. 4 to a class) and homestays with Tico families. We have three campuses throughout the country--Heredia in the Central Valley near the capital of San Jose, Monteverde in the mountains (my favorite!) and Flamingo on the beach. We have individual students, families, high schools, universities, grandparents, priests, nuns, children, international and local students all attending our school. I first came here with the University of Dayton in 2008 to earn Spanish study abroad credit after being in Spain the summer before.
At CPI, I work in the Groups Office. Any high school, university, community college or other group that comes to CPI goes through the Groups division. Each summer I am assigned numerous groups to 'chaperone.' Essentially, while the group is here, I am in charge of their itinerary and making sure that things go smoothly--checking on homestays, classes, meals, lodging, activities, transportation, volunteerships, etc. I am like a 'fill-in-the-blanks' person for the group. If they want to know what to bring for the day, where we are eating, what to wear, where class is, how long the drive is, and so on, I'm the person they come to. As a student, I had no idea how much work Muni, the UD chaperone, put in to make things seem seamless. All I ever saw was a perfectly run program. Having been on the other side for 4 years now, I know there is ton of prep, phone calls, questions, confirming and extra errands being run to make everything look effortless. In the last couple of seasons I've also helped train the new chaperones and give guidance throughout the summer. I've been doing this for a while. : )
On the contrary to what most believe when I say that I work for a language immersion school, I do not teach in the summer. In a way, it's wonderful. I love teaching Spanish in the States, but this is a completely different venue for me. It's all business and customer service and seeing that the customer (the students) have the best possible experience while they are here. It's also immensely rewarding knowing that I am helping to plant the seed in this person as global and worldly individual. What they do with it when they leave is up to them, but I've helped to plant it!
Another aspect of my journey down here every year is getting to see the friends I have come to know and adore down here. I love returning each year and getting to spend with them no matter how chaotic la temporada alta (high season) is. Outside of seeing familiar faces, I get to encounter so many new ones as well! One of the greatest benefits to this job is all of the people you meet--some good, some not-so-good. You make connections, build relationships, network, and make friends with people from all over the world. It's amazing the kind of unique individuals I have met and continue to meet while I am here.
A few days ago while running I was reflecting back on the last four summers of working for CPI (I actually think it was an attempt to block out how bad my keister was hurting from the hill I was running, but I digress...). Each summer seems to have had a theme:
2009: Newbie; Muni, Meggie, and Gerry : ) My first summer working and where some of my greatest friendships and bonds were made; JAJA (some of the West Coast Chaperones and I had an awesome time together!)
2010: Heartache; Another story for another time, but my summer was scathed. In the most beautiful part of it, my family came to visit and see what I do!!
2011: Healing, growth, and love. A rediscory of self and why I love coming back here, speaking Spanish and being with good people.
2012: I'm getting old... Just kidding. : ) Great moments with great friends and that ridiculous cleanse that my boss talked me into. : )
I'm leaving Monteverde this afternoon and probably won't be back until next year. : ( Thus, in order to get to hang out with Muni more (and enjoy my last day before the cleanse), we are headed into town to get Peanut Butter Pie at Morphos. I.Can't.Wait. : )
Paz, amor and Peanut Butter Pie,
Jessica Lynn
No comments:
Post a Comment