Mid 2016, I went on a once in a lifetime adventure. Never in my life would I have imagined that I'd be exploring a tropical country in Central America while studying a language and a culture I love. Here are four things that I learned about myself in Costa Rica.

1. I'm adventurous (kind of). I've always been that really hesitant friend who struggled to do anything that wasn't "safe" or "conventional." But sometime after climbing *literal* mountains and falling out of a white water raft, I gained a new appreciation for my adventurous side.

2. I need to be willing to try new things. I'll be the first person to tell someone how unbelievably picky I am. I think there are more foods that I dislike than I like at this point. In order to get the full experience while outside of a country, you really need to try new foods, even if you're sure you'd hate them. (I tried fish spaghetti. Do it for the culture!)

3. The best experiences are the ones you're afraid to try. This trip was full of activities that I had never even considered doing. I rode a horse through mountains (which is every bit as magical as it seems). Coming from someone who may or may not have cried on the horse because I was so scared, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

4. Not to let my perception of myself get in the way. I have always been someone that struggles with insecurities. I almost always let those anxieties and fears hold me back from everything. But this trip was all about branching out and planting roots for myself. I told myself that I wasn't going to wear shorts on that trip because I wasn't comfortable with my thighs, but I broke through so many personal barriers and limitations. I wore shorts in public for the first time in two years. That is progress.

The thing that I cherish the absolute most about this experience is how much I was able to learn. Not only was I able to learn about a beautiful country and culture, I was able to truly get in touch with myself. There were instances where I needed to love myself a little bit more, to trust myself a little bit more, and to rely on others a little bit more. Those are the experiences that I am most grateful for. Because in a country where I knew less than 20 people, I was able to focus on my experience and those who surround me rather than my insecurities and reputation.