As the fall semester ended, many students began preparing for their treks back home for the holidays. However, a hand-full of privileged West Texas A&M Mass and Speech Communication students, and a couple of faculty members, packed and planned for an exciting trip to Costa Rica.

The students were enrolled in a course titled Intercultural Communication. Dr. Anthony Spencer taught the undergraduate course, while Dr. Leigh Browning instructed the graduate course.

The purpose of the course was to immerse the students in a culture that they had most likely never been exposed to before. They were to experience Costa Rica not only as a tourist would, but also as a native would.

The students were paired up together to live in home stays. That is, they actually lived in homes of Costa Rican natives. They had “parents” that showed them the ropes and sometimes had “brothers and sisters” also. Although these guardians were to guide and protect them, they did not speak English, but rather in their native tongue of Spanish.

This was of benefit to the students as they had to work harder on learning and understanding this language, in addition to other benefits.

“Although it was difficult at times to understand our host family, it was more enriching to be a part of their culture,” Lori Rozzell said.

The students had to learn to adjust to some things, such as not being able to flush their toilet paper. There was quite a bit that had to be fished out before the handle was pushed. There was also very little water pressure if they wanted a hot shower.

“I also think it showed us how lucky we are to live the way we do in America and appreciate the small things,” Rozzell added. “The things I learned and experienced from living with a host family will be more cherished than any hotel or other kind of place they could have chosen for us.” Throughout the 10 days the students were in Costa Rica, they of course went to class, but also they were able to see some beautiful sights, shop at markets and even do some community work. All of this served to create an understanding of this newly introduced culture.

One of the major aspects of this trip was the service-learning project the students were to participate in.

They were to plan activities and prepare gifts for some underprivileged children. Once they were at the church where the children’s Christmas party was to be, they immediately realized just how poor these children were.

They were allowed one meal a day of rice, beans and a few chips. However, the children didn’t seem to realize their poverty. They danced and sang as if they had not a care in the world. Being there with them, taught the students quite a few important lessons.

“The service learning project had a deep effect on me,” Skylar Hinds said. “Not only did it force me to see what some people in Costa Rica lived like, but it set off a whole line of thought. That, not only in Costa Rica, but everywhere people live like this. It was interesting that, as a human, it took me traveling to realize that.”

That very same day, the students met with some of the journalism students from the university they were attending, U Latina. There were several connections made, many swapping of names and email addresses and promises to look up one another on Facebook.

There were also many sightseeing trips. One of which was to the Basilica, a large and prominent church. Several of the students bought containers and filled them with Holy Water to take home. They were also taken to different markets so that they could shop and learn to barter over prices.

Additionally, there were some educational trips such as the trip to the San Jose television station and newspaper. While at Teletica, the TV station, an amazing opportunity was made. One of the students who is a native Spanish speaker, Sulema Salazar, had the chance to co-host on the morning show. It was exciting for all of the students, especially Sulema.

“It was a great experience as a student and a journalist,” Salazar said. “I think the anchor trusted me to be with him in the show, and everything flowed really well. The language was a big factor.”
Salazar was even recognized later on the streets. “It was funny because I wasn’t expecting that, but they are a well-known morning show,” she said.

Towards the last days of the trip, the group traveled to La Fortuna, a town known for its active volcano and hot springs. The students were especially looking forward to relaxing in these natural pools. A few of them were even challenged to run through the hottest pool there at 152 degrees.

“Oh, what peer pressure does,” Maria Molina said. “I can’t believe I actually got in it.”

Although they did not get the chance to see the volcano because of the clouds, the trip to the town was very special to all of the students. On the second day there, some of the students went on a canopy tour. They got quite dirty, but they said they had an amazing time.

“The canopy tour was truly a once in a lifetime experience,” Wes Condray said. “It was so freeing to fly through the canopy amongst the beautiful vegetation with the rain gently coming down. That will be one of the things I remember most about the trip.”

Once their time at La Fortuna was over, the group travelled back to their home stays for one last night before they would leave the next day. Most were ready to get back home for the holidays with their families, but there were a few who said they would be quite content on just staying there.

However, the time came when everyone was packed, said goodbye to their home stay families and got on the bus to go to the airport.

“I loved it,” Tawni Buhler said. “I was sad to end the experience, but ready to see my family.”

I, Beka Rutledge, was one of the lucky students who was able to experience the amazement that is Costa Rica. I fell in love with the scenery, the food and the people. This trip has not only given me the wish to return there someday, but also the desire to travel abroad much more. I am very grateful for this opportunity that WT provided me.

The Prairie, 1997

As you can read in the story to the left, which was run by The Prairie on February 5, 1997, Candace Nickelson and Chuck Jordan pretty much had a fairytale courtship. However, it wasn’t to end there.

The couple set their wedding date for November 29, 1997. When they set out to find a place for the ceremony to take place, neither one of their hometowns was going to work. Then the chapel on WT’s campus was mentioned, and it was the perfect fit. After all, it was on the very campus where they had met and fallen in love.

Then came all of the necessary wedding preparations. The colors chosen were ivory and gold. Pictures were taken, the dress was chosen and everything was ready to go for the big day.

When that day came, everyone involved was excited. The women went in and got their hair and nails done, while the men…did what men do on such a day. Candace was outfitted with the essential something old (a handkerchief given to Chuck when he was born), something new (her wedding gown), something borrowed (diamond stud earrings from her sister, Lisa) and something blue (a small blue bow).

PHOTO | COURTESY OF THE JORDANS

Then it was time. It was a beautiful ceremony, with the sanctuary filled with candles and flowers. Everyone looked elegant, but the bride was, of course, the most gorgeous of all.

Now, no wedding ceremony goes without some humor. Candace is 6’2”, which is normally about an inch taller than Chuck. However, on this day she was wearing heels. When it came time for the minister to say, “You may now kiss the bride,” Chuck stood up on his tippy toes, causing the sanctuary to burst into laughter

The reception was held at the VFW Hall in Canyon. It was decorated just as lovely as the church had been. There, the bride and groom had their first dance as a married couple to the tune of “Love of My Life” by Sammy Kershaw.

They honeymooned in Copper Mountain, Colorado, where Candace learned to snow ski.

Then real life began. The Jordans moved to Colorado soon after their honeymoon. They had a few dogs in their life that were considered their babies; however, after a few years of married life, they decided to start their family.

Skylar Elise was born on September 27, 2002. She is now 7-years-old and a very bright and imaginative little girl.

After her birth, the family moved to Shallowater, Texas for a while.

PHOTO | COURTESY OF THE JORDANS

William Robert was born on January 11, 2006 and will soon be 4. Will is a rambunctious child and keeps his parents constantly on alert for any mischief he might get himself into. He also is very smart with a big imagination.

Skylar takes the role of big sister very seriously. If ever Will says anything incorrect, Skylar is sure to fix it, and the fight is on.

Their family now lives in Clovis, New Mexico, where Chuck is from. Chuck is a high school football coach for Clovis High School. Candace is continuing her education to become a physical therapist assistant.
It may not be a complete fairytale anymore, but in the lives of Candace and Chuck Jordan there have been several happy endings, but even happier beginnings.