Who are the Ticos?

Emily Stanley, 16

When talking about who “ticos” really are, we seem to think about their government, and past, but what I really think we ought to look at is their real lifestyle that they live every day. One example of this is their religious practices, which consist of 76.3% of the population being Roman Catholic, and 13.7% being Evangelical. Whereas there are much smaller numbers for those who are other religions, such as there being only 1.3% Jehovah's Witnesses, and the other Christian faiths being .7% Protestant. For something completely outside of Christianity, there is the other 4.8%, and 3.2% of the population claim to have no religion at all. However, because of a recent and small immigration from Asia and the Middle East, there are other religions starting to develop more, but specifically Buddhism, but there is a Jewish synagogue in San Jose.

Costa Rica has written and revised its Constitution during all its political trials and tribulations overtime, and through this document, is how they will function in society, as holds true for every society. Costa Rica has one of the most stable countries in its region, which obviously must hold true for its people’s decision making skills, and they have relatively high level educations, and it has a literacy rate of 97% one of the highest in Latin America, making it a very well educated country, more so than most, with educated people.

Though Costa Ricans seem to have an educated mind, they can still enjoy life. While having a well set up government, they have a culturally varied history. Because of the immigration of the Spaniards, the use of Spanish language, and the Catholic religion, it remains to this day some of the main cultural aspects of the country. The old style dances, such as Costa Rican swing are big musical influences in the lives of older citizens, where as things like Reggaeton and American Pop, are most popular among the youth of the country. Through those dances, guitar when accompanied to folk music is a popular aspect of culture. The Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports, runs most funding on these areas, where they are having trouble with funding for smaller activities; the common activities are easily paid for, and remain high quality forms of entertainment. These are a culturally diverse people, who are maintaining a stable government, while still attempting to have an enjoyable life.

- Emily Stanley

Who are the Ticos

The culture of COsta Rica has been revolutionized from its earlier points in that nation's history. Form previous years ago, the culture of this country has evolved into one of the world's most known, unique groups of people. In Costa Rica, what is now known as the Ticos has an amazing story behind it. So who are the Tico's? In today's society, they are simply people who are from and live in Costa Rica. They act like normal teenagers. They like listening to music and dancing. They have a very unique culture. Most of the foods they eat cosnsist of fruits and vegetables. But what was it like in earlier points of Costa Rica's history? The Tico's had developed from groups of different cultures settling in Costa Rica. Some of these cultures included people from Spain, who were intermixed with people from Africa and the Caribbean. The Spanish colonialists settled in the Central Valley wirh other European immigrants. Germans and Italians were slowly moving in and settled with other groups. By the 19th century, larger numbers of immigrants were coming into Costa Rica. These immigrants were intermixing with each other; resulting in mixed-blooded cultures. The Ticos are locally born (crillo) Costa Ricans. According to the National Geographic Traveler Costa Rica, "In Costa Rica, the neglected settlers tilled their fellow Citizens by the ruling cliques, who shared hardships and destitution (in 1719, the governor of Costa Rica complained that he too, had to fill his own land). In this time they had became known as the Ticos". They had been cut off from most outside influence. They had began to develop their own culture and language. Unique vocabulary and slang were just a few examples just to name a few. They have revolutionized Costa Rican culture as a whole and now the majority of Costa Rican people are now considered Ticos.

Who are the Ticos?

Larry Hailsham, 16

There are many things that I know about Costa Rica but there are also many, many things that I wish to learn about the country as well as the natives. A lot of things we’re able to read in books and see in pictures but you don’t really know anything about a country until you’ve visited it and seen the people and have lived with them and experienced what is, Costa Rica. I know that the main religion is Roman Catholic, but I don’t know all the little tiny things such as when do they go to church? Or how big is said church? And what their typical church service is like. Those are things that I would really want to know.

”Costa Ricans like to play soccer”

I only see the answer to the question:

“What sport do many Costa Rican people play?”

I don’t see WHY they enjoy it or anything that has a personal aspect to them. This is why I only know the textual stuff about Costa Rica and not the factual stuff, because nothing is really real when it’s talking about a society until you go in and see the people and see how they live, before that it’s just……. words, just text. Or at least that’s how I view it. I could write all the facts that I learned in this class about the colonization of Costa Rica or the way they reached a democracy or what’s happened there but I don’t feel as though that will make me know “who the ticos are?". But it's something that I will surely know this upcoming April and will be able to answer without hesitation

Shalyce 16

Hi my name is Shalyce,
The reason I want to go on this trip is to help others and have a once in a life time experience. I loved doing the service learning project in 9th grade. I also enjoy when the 10 grade science honors students went to a park and cleaned the creek, and pulled lots of weeds. It was a very funny and fun day and I enjoyed the fact that I was helping. I also want to go on this trip because its something new, and it is an experience that I will be able to tell my kids and grand kids about. I hope to learn more about Latin American culture. I think this will be a very exciting and new thing that me and other student who feel the same way about this trip will take so many things from.

Daontay, 17

I think the main reason I wanted to go on this trip was to travel. The world is a beautiful place and I want to experience as much of it as I can. I want to embrace different people and cultures other than my own and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. I think that by going on this trip, we'll all get a glimpse of what the world is like from a different perspective. We will all benefit because we will all connect with the people of Costa Rica and with each other. From that connection will come a feeling that we'll never forget, the feeling of being one.

Courtney, 17

Today marks the day of my long journey to Costa Rica with my new friends! I have always liked to travel and can not wait to experience a new country and culture with my fellow senior class mates, (as well as my new junior friends!) while taking on this once in a life time experience together!

The main reason why I applied to the Costa Rica service learning trip, was mainly due to the fact that I would love to experience something that not every 17 year old american student can say that they've experienced. I also applied because I will be taking part in a project that is beyond myself and just about anything else I have ever completed in my enitre life.

The only thing I can say that I would like to gain from this trip, is a closer bond with mi amigos and being confortable depending on people within my surrounding and working in a team. I have always liked working alone better than in a team, due to the fact that there is a low possibilty of idea confliction and irritation...

Hopefully this trip will be everything I hope, and my classmates and I experience great things far beyond our greatest expectations.

Larry Hailsham, 16

When I heard of the opportunity, I levitated to it! Why you may ask? I want to go on this trip because I really enjoy helping people. It's evident that Costa Rica is far from the US and we'll probably find one of us making the "We're not in Kansas" anymore statement......although we live in Pittsburgh................................................................................................................................................
but that's not the point. This trip means a lot to me. It means I get to leave the country which is a PLUS, it means I get to learn about a country I know completely nothing about which is a DOUBLE PLUS and it means I get to leave the country with knowing I helped out people of an under developed country TRIPLE PLUS! What more could a guy want...........SERIOUSLY?

Alyssa, 17

I have a few reasons why I want to go to Costa Rica. First, I love to travel and I have always wanted to travel somewhere beyond the United States. I think it would be interesting to learn about another country's culture compared to the American customs we are so used to. I also want to be able to help others somewhere other than just here in Pennsylvania. The main thing I hope to gain from this experience is to improve my Spanish skills and be able to have put my current knowledge of the language to good use. Lastly, I just want to have more knowledge of Costa Rica overall, including the culture, traditions, language, and geography.

Melina, 17

I want to go on the Costa Rica service learning trip because I enjoy helping other out in whatever way possible. It will also be pretty neat to learn all about a whole other country aside from our own, and will be cool to be able to experience a totally different culture for a whole twelve days. Interacting with the students/people there will hopefully teach us all a lot and learn to appriciate what we have and the benefits we get. From this trip I hope to gain a better outlook on life, learn new things, achieve the good feeling of helping others. and so much more.

Siena, 17

Siena.

The reason I want to go on this trip is because I have a passion for traveling. I love going to new places and see new people and experiencing how others live their lives. After going on this trip I hope to take away a better understanding of the people in the world and how they are similar and different from us.

Costa Rica!!!

Ashlee, 18

I want to go to Costa Rica because I think it would help me learn more about different cultures and I think that it would be a great experience. I hope to take language skills with me!

Danielle Randazzo, 18
I want to go to Costa Rica because I have never been out of the country and I think it would be a great experience to see what other countries are like. Also I want to help other who are less fortunate. After the trip I think that I will appreciate the things that I have and the life that I live because it could be worse.

Intro

Matyas Feher, 16

I want to go on the Costa Rica trip because I want to see the world and I wouldn't mind helping people in the process.
I would hope to take home with me; some stories that no one else has (besides the others on this trip) and a better feeling about myself, and just an overall character building experience. And hey, a chance to get out of the country to see the world is cool with me as well B )

Emily, 16

I would like to go on this trip, because I'd like to be able to see a lot of places, particularly Latin American countries. I really enjoy helping people in any way possible, and I think this would be a good start to doing that more frequently. Plus this is a reason I want to go, and something to get out of it, I want to be able to handle physical struggle, while still helping others, more easily. I think this will be a life changing experience.

First Blog

LaShai Brown, 16.
I want to go to Costa Rica because I really like to help people. I also thought this would be a nice trip because it would be my first time out of the country and because Costa Rica is a pretty place. The students who went on the trip last year said it was a "life changing" experience and I want to see how I will change after this trip. I know I will gain a lot of things from this trip but I also hope I will lose several things too, such as my fears of heights. What I think I can bring to this trip.....I am a very helpful and easy to talk to and also that I know a little Spanish.