Laurel Dispenza is a student at Olivet Nazarene University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Laurel just returned home from studying abroad with ISA in Heredia, Costa Rica.
A simple making of US prized chocolate chip cookies shed light on the slight but present differences in cultures.
When my host mom attempted to flip the freshly baked gems, I learned that in Costa Rica, they do, indeed, flip some cookies as they are baking.
When I asked if there was milk and received a response of a perplexed face, I learned that cookies and milk are not a thing here.
When I rescued the cookies from the scorching heat that would make them brown and was met with a persistent voice that they weren’t done, I learned that half raw cookies don’t exist here either. They eat them crunchy, or burnt from my point of view.
While in the process we may have disagreed, but a beauty manifested itself when we shared in the little things, like baking.
Also, seeing the reactions of dear friends when they tried American-style chocolate chip cookies was priceless.
While we have different traditions and norm, there is something wonderful about sharing those unique aspects with each other.
This is so sweet and personal! Thank you for sharing!