Costa Rica: La Pura Vida Manifested

by Sarah Oladele (United Kingdom (Great Britain))

I didn't expect to find United Kingdom

I didn't expect to find myself. I, like so many millennials, was under the illusion that I knew who I was, where I was going and who I wanted to be. Boy, could I not have been so far from the truth. Costa Rica made me feel the same way you do at the end of a coming of age movie; whilst you have been through some stuff, you’re still glad it happened, because somehow, you wouldn’t exchange any of it for what you’ve learnt. I feel like a big part of my experience was that I had found romance. Now, please do not misunderstand me; I am not talking about falling in love or finding the ‘one’. I’m talking about the natural romance of life, the type that makes you look up to God in the sky and thank Him that you had the chance to be here, experiencing life. There were so many beautiful landscapes that literally took my breath away. For the first time, I looked at God’s work through nature alone, and saw that it was good. Better yet, it was amazing. Concerning my religion, I feel like I got closer to God than I have ever been. And then, there were the people. Honestly, I have no bigger testament of destiny; I constantly found myself in conversations with people that felt like I was meant to be there, saying whatever I happened to be saying at that time. Consequently, it gave me the resilience to steel myself against the challenges, because believe me you, there were many. Growing up in a school where I was the only black girl in my year group, I was no stranger to ignorance, racism even. But out there, in a village where so many of the people looked like me, I was taken aback at the fact that I felt like an outsider. I was either constantly being mistaken for a local, whilst my lighter friend who I had travelled with was always treated like royalty. Initially, it was very demoralising for me; it affected my experience and it was a mental strain because it was unexpected. Consequently, I found myself making a mental note to make a more conscious effort towards progression and making sure I do my part – whether that’s just raising awareness, having a conversation with somebody, or calling out instances where I see discrimination occur. It’s safe to say I was in danger of developing a complex ,but thank goodness I had enough people around me to bring me back to myself. Abroad, I made so many friends I know I will keep for life, many of which I still talk to now. I just learnt so many different things about understanding the world, and acknowledging the fact that my experience is simply that: just mine; there are so many other experiences out there, just as equally important as my own, and it was in that moment that I made the decision to use my voice to represent those who are less capable of being vocal about their experiences - people who feel marginalised, disenfranchised and forgotten by society, which is the steppingstone to all of the opportunities I have participated in upon returning to university, which includes planning the Language Centre’s Global Extravaganza and taking part in a play for the Nottingham Young Creatives (theatre) award. Needless to say, my year abroad was indescribably transformative, and it has given a security in myself that is beyond measure. Subsequently, this newfound confidence encouraged me to decide what is truly important. For me, the most important thing is one’s ability to desire to improve; it is in this space that growth and progression can occur, which is most effective when collaborating with others or thinking beyond oneself. Now, when I think of the future, there is nothing that intimidates me, nothing that holds me back or pursuing my dreams. Not only have I seen the change, but my friends and family have to, and the best part is that is encourages others - gives them the inspiration to travel, to see the world and find themselves I did. I really hope everyone can discover that.