You may have stumbled across this blog and wondered what you were doing here. Maybe you're a friend of mine or family or someone I went to school with. Either way it's a great thing that you're here because your support is really appreciated. As a current sophomore at Portland State University, I have decided to try to take on the daunting task of studying abroad this summer 2014. Where, you ask? My goal is to study in Heredia, Costa Rica.

Why Costa Rica?
As a double major in Spanish and Applied Linguistics, being submerged in Costa Rica for a month would be very beneficial for both of my majors. But why Costa Rica as opposed to any other Spanish-speaking country? The CR is very unique from its Latin American counterparts. It is an inspiring leader in a direction of peace (they don't even have an army) as well as a leader in environmental sustainability.The biodiversity in Costa Rica is loco! "Costa Rica boasts a higher biodiversity than Europe and the USA combined" (Lonely Planet).  Not only is this country peaceful, diverse, and fun, it is also one of the most affordable study abroad programs I have found in Spanish-speaking countries. The overall cost is going to be somewhere around $5000 for 5 weeks and 2 days.

Where will I get this money?
I am going to apply for as many scholarships as I can and try to get financial aid for my summer studies. I will save up as much money as I can from my job and lastly, some of the money will come through generosity of people around me. I hope that I can muster up enough to complete my trip, and if you decide to donate for my cause the support is greatly appreciated.

Even if you don't feel the need to donate, you can still feel free to follow my study abroad journey.

Muchas gracias for supporting my blog, Kelsea