[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Lucy Allan, Bilingual Bridges’ Marketing Assistant, is a Butler University in Indianapolis, IN senior. She majors in elementary education and peace and conflict studies, and she minors in Spanish and mild intervention. From May 12 to June 1, 2019, Allan participated in Butler’s Spanish Immersion trip to Costa Rica. Part of this trip involved learning Spanish through language classes at the ILISA Language School in San José, which she describes below as her first of a series of travel stories!
Embarking on a history trip
Around 8:30 am, we boarded a private bus and set off for downtown San José, where we had a walking tour. Our first stop was at The National Monument of Juan Santamaría, commemorating Costa Rica’s victories over William Walker.
Walker, an American mercenary and lawyer, attempted to gain control of Central America via military force throughout the mid-1850s. He hoped to establish English-speaking colonies and reinstitute slavery.
In 1854, Walker overthrew the Nicaraguan government, declaring himself president. As a result, Costa Ricans fought to ensure the same did not happen to them. They successfully defeated Walker in the Battle of Santa Rosa and the Second Battle of Rivas, gaining a national hero, Juan Santamaría.
Santamaría, a drummer in the Costa Rican army, set fire to Walker’s camp during the Second Battle of Rivas (1856) after other soldiers failed to do so. Though Santamaría died in the fire, he helped secure victory for his country and Central America. Costa Ricans honor Walker’s bravery by celebrating Juan Santamaría Day each April 11th.
The importance of knowing history when learning a new language
As someone who didn’t know much about Costa Rica before visiting, understanding this bit of history was significant because it helped me realize how brave and resilient the Costa Ricans are.
After viewing the National Monument, we observed graffiti and Nemagon protestors just outside government buildings. Afterward, we visited an open-air museum display by Jorge Jiminez Deredia before returning to Ilisa Instituto de Idiomas for our afternoon Spanish language classes.
Author: Lucy Allan. Photo Credits: Q Costa Rica.
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