Kirkwood Community College’s Global Spotlights give international students the opportunity to educate peers, faculty and staff about their home countries. This year’s featured countries include Guatemala, Cameroon, Eswatini and Germany. On March 12, Monica Villalobos presented a spotlight on Costa Rica titled “A Small Country, A Big Impact.”
The presentation detailed what life is like in Costa Rica, its climate throughout the year, the rich biodiversity and welcoming people.
Villalobos said she came to Iowa from Costa Rica to study. “This is my second winter, and I’m still not used to it,” she said.
To give perspective on the size of Costa Rica, Villalobos stated that it’s the size of West Virginia.
Though it may be small in comparison to other countries, it is home to over 500,000 species. “Sloths, dowers, birds, even King birds, and insects. More than the U.S. and Canada combined,” Villalobos said.
When asked her favorite animal, she said it was the sloths. Villalabos said she believes that biodiversity is a great part of Costa Rica, but what the people have achieved can’t be discounted, citing the funding put into their education system as an example.
“Because we don’t have an army, our government put all that money into education,” she said.
Villalobos put herself as a testament to the education system in Costa Rica. “Since I was little, I learned my English in school,” she said. She added that the university there is free due to the funding.
As for the popular and proven notion that Costa Ricans are generally long-lived, Villalabos’ input is that the lifestyle in Costa Rica could play a role in it. “It’s about the food and maybe also how you’re surrounded by the people and your family is so close to you; that support you have all the time,” she said.
The people of Costa Rica are primarily Catholic, which affirms Easter as a major holiday period. Many businesses and offices close for the entire week to celebrate.
“I like to spend that time with my family and go to church,” she said. “All the meaning of that week and participating in parades, it’s very nice.”
At the end of the presentation, Villalabos said she wishes that everyone experiences a bit of her country as it is dear to her and has lots to offer. “I’m very proud of my country,” she said.
Categories: Art & Life, Global Spotlight
