An unexpected aspect of my homestay experience is the layout and security of the house, which is very different from what I am used to in the United States. The front door first leads into the garage, and then there is a second door that actually enters the home itself with no lock. Another thing that surprised me was that the back door is left open constantly, even overnight, which is something I have personally never experienced before. At first, this seemed unusual to me because American culture has a strong emphasis on security and privacy. I then realized that this openness reflected the trusting and relaxed culture that many people in Costa Rica share.

My experiences walking around Heredia and visiting the Central Market of Heredia also gave me insight into the personalities and daily interactions of people in Costa Rica. One thing I noticed immediately was how friendly everyone is. When passing people on the street, it is very common to receive greetings such as “Buenos Días,” from strangers of all ages and genders. This is very different from the culture in the United States, where people keep to themselves and avoid interacting with strangers. I also noticed how willing people are to help others. In my homestay, my host mom has been extremely generous and constantly checks in on us through text messages during group activities to ask if we need anything. Similarly, at the market, vendors and shoppers were very helpful when we were trying to locate items, making sure that we understood their directions and felt comfortable navigating the space.

Another similarity I noticed between both my homestay and the market was the level of trust people seem to have in one another. My host family demonstrated trust by giving us keys to their home and allowing us full access to the house while they are away at work. At the market, it was common to see vendors walk away from their stands while leaving their goods out in the open without any monitoring. This confirmed my original impression that Ticos tend to live in a more laid-back and trusting way. Truly embracing the Pura Vida lifestyle, the country motto that the Ticos live by. Experiencing these interactions helped me better understand how strong community trust and friendliness shape everyday life in Costa Rica.