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orientation package
Now that you have made the decision to study abroad in Costa Rica with WVA, it is likely that you are going to have many questions about your future temporary home. This orientation handbook is guided to give you all the information and sometimes more about the things that will be most important to you having a successful adventure abroad.Costa Rica
First and foremost one of the best things about studying abroad is the ability to become immersed in a culture that few of your friends or family will ever know and is impossible to know by only visiting on vacation. Learning and practicing the language is one of the best ways to understand a different culture. Costa Ricans are very friendly people, who are willing to help in any way possible. This includes being very patient and encouraging while you try to communicate with them. It will go a long way to show them that you care about their language and to practice it any chance you get.Apart from learning and studying in San Jose, you will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful beaches and exotic rainforests in the world. WVA provides this opportunity through the excursions to places like Monteverde, Volcán Arenal and Manuel Antonio beach. In order to make your experience more enjoyable we suggest that you research Costa Rica before you come.
A few websites include but are not limited to:
- CIA World Factbook: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/es.html
- State Department Information: www.travel.state.gov
- Costa Rican Newspaper: www.nacion.co.cr
- Costa Rican Newspaper in English: www.ticotimes.net
- Costa Rica Tourism: www.costarica.com
- Costa Rica Tourism: www.tourism.co.cr
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need a passport?
Definitely. If you do not already have one, you should apply for a passport immediately. The requirements are somewhat strict, and once you have everything they require, it can still take well over a month to get your passport. U.S. passports are good for ten years; once you have one, you’ll be set for international travel for a long time. If you already have a passport, make certain that it is valid until 6 months beyond your return date. When arriving in San José, citizens of the U.S., Canada and most Latin American and European countries may stay in Costa Rica for 90 days.
For more information please look at http://www.costarica-embassy.org.
Health
Are immunizations required?
Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in the developing world, from a health point of view. This is largely due to high health standards in our country. There are no required immunizations for entering Costa Rica. However, it is always wise to keep up your basic shots such as tetanus and diphtheria. Risk of contracting malaria is minimal, but for itineraries that include the Caribbean lowlands, travelers might wish to take the extra precaution of a prophylactic medicine such as chloroquine. Decisions about immunizations and anti-malarial medications should be made on a personal basis after consultation with your personal physician.
Are there modern medical facilities?
YES! Health care in Costa Rica is excellent and there are several ultra-modern hospitals with English speaking Doctors (some are North Americans) in the greater San José area. Below are some phone numbers. For emergency assistance in Costa Rica, dial 911.
- For emergency assistance in Costa Rica
- Clinica Catolica (225-5055) in Guadalupe
- Clinica Americana (222-1010) in downtown San José
- Clinica Biblica (257-5252, 257-0466) also in downtown San José
- KOP Medical Clinic (228-4119) in San Rafael de Escazu
Is the water safe to drink?
The water in San José is safe to drink in most areas. The best way to know is to ask your family they will tell you whether it is safe to drink it straight from the tap. We recommend however that if you are in remote areas you bring bottled water, as it may not be potable.
What type of food is typical of Costa Rica?
A traditional Costa Rican breakfast consists of "gallo pinto" (black beans and rice), eggs, tortillas and sour cream, with coffee and fresh fruit juice. A typical Costa Rica lunch known as "casado", includes: rice and beans, one choice of meat (beef, chicken, pork, or fish), salad, fried plantains (a type of banana, very sweet and very tasty).Dinner is pretty much whatever you like, and fish and seafood here is excellent, well priced, and fresh, as are the fruits and vegetables.
Of course Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world.
Communication
How will I be able to contact my family?
At the WVA office computers will be available for Internet use, there are also a large number of Internet cafes around San José some open 24 hours where you pay $1-2 for a half-hour or hour of use. Keep in mind that the Internet connection might not be as efficient as the one you accustomed to at home. You can also use phone cards at your host family’s house or one of the readily available public phones.
How do I make phone calls?
In Costa Rica most people use phone cards at public phones. Phone cards can be bought in increments ranging from the smallest at 300 colones which can be used only to call within Costa Rica, to the largest at 3000 colones ($6.50) which will give you about 15 minutes for calls to the U.S. The WVA office will have phone cards available for you to buy. You can also buy international phone cards, which are available in increments of $5, $10, and $20 to make a direct call to the United States. This is the most convenient and economical way to make an international call. Even with the phone cards it is considerably cheaper to call Costa Rica from the U.S. so we recommend that you and your family or friends prearrange a time in which they can call you at your host family’s house.
» Check with your long distance carrier in the U.S. before you leave to see if they include a plan to Costa Rica this could help prevent you from paying more than a dollar a minute for international calls.
» To call the U.S. from Costa Rica you will need to dial country code 001+ the area code +the number for example, 001-307-331-8723. To call Costa Rica from the U.S. you will need to dial 011-506(area code for all of Costa Rica) + the number.
Money
What type of money do they use in Costa Rica?
The national currency is the colon, its value against the dollar changes frequently but at current writing (1/3/2006) it is $1=497colones. This amount usually fluctuates at about 4 colones per month. In order to see the most recent exchange rate before you arrive visit the website www.oanda.com.
Will I be able to use my debit/credit card?
ATMs are found everywhere in the greater San José area, and in most areas outside of the capital. The more remote areas may not have one so it is a good idea to get out enough money before you go. In most hotels and restaurants they accept credit cards but it is not a guarantee, make sure to ask before you stay or eat. In the smaller restaurants it is more likely that they only accept cash.
How much money will I need?
This depends on the person and what kind of lifestyle they want to live while in Costa Rica. The most common amount of money spent per week is between 50-200 dollars. This may seem like a lot of money and there are ways to cut down on spending.
» Less traveling, spending a weekend in San José is a great way to see a different part of the city and to visit the many museums and other cultural opportunities available.
» If you do travel on the weekends that WVA has not planned an excursion, there are options for you to be able to see all Costa Rica has to offer while saving money. A few examples are, riding the public buses instead of renting a car or staying in the many very simple cabins called cabinas instead of more expensive hotels.
Where can I exchange money?
Exchange - When you arrive, you may exchange your money at any local bank or hotel but you will get a better exchange rate at banks. You may also get foreign currency by using your ATM card. However, it's important that you know the exchange rate before you do this. In a pinch, dollars are pretty widely accepted, but you'll probably receive your change in colones.
Transportation
How will I get from the airport to my home in Costa Rica?
A representative of WVA will be waiting to pick you up at the airport after you go through customs and immigration. There will be many people outside the airport so it is important that you look for the person holding the WVA sign. In order to arrange the airport pickup it is imperative that you send your flight information, including flight number, time of arrival and airline to WVA. It will also be necessary that you send any changes that are made to your flight plans. If you are not arriving on the date that the program starts it will be your responsibility to find transportation from the airport.
How will I get around San José?
San José has a very good bus system serving all areas, they may be a little difficult to figure out at first but bus drivers are very helpful and will be able to tell you where to wait for a particular bus. This option is much cheaper with most bus rides only taking about 50 cents.
Taxis are also available in San José, it is very important that you take only legal taxis. Legal taxis are red and have a yellow triangle on the door or window. Except for the taxis at the airport those are orange. Many taxi drivers may try to overcharge tourists that do not speak Spanish by not turning on the meter (la maría). Before getting into a taxi ask the driver if he has a meter, ¿tiene maría? or ask him to turn it on, ¿puede poner la maría? por favor. A short ride should cost around $1-2 while a longer ride can cost about $4-5. For longer destinations you will need to arrange a set amount before getting into the taxi.
Prior To Approval - Packing
The weather in Costa Rica varies more depending on elevation than on seasons, however the rainy season in almost all parts lasts from approximately May to December. Since this is the case we want to break this section down to beach, mountain travel, San José and general. Of course many things can be used for all locations and you will not have to take all these things. Take this list as a suggestion and adjust it according to your trip length, activities, personal style, and taste.
Beach Travel
The excursion to Manuel Antonio will be a beach trip so you can plan ahead this is what you will need.
- A sturdy internal frame backpack is convenient for this form of travel.
- Sunblock with at least 30 SPF the sun is very strong here, and a sunburn will ruin any trip.
- Hat and Sunglasses
- Bug spray 75% DEET. Long sleeves and pants are also recommended for insect protection
- A swimsuit or swim trunks of course!
- Flip Flops
- Sandals sturdier than flip-flops or shoes you don't mind being wet in to do some hiking in the rainforest by the beaches.
- Umbrella, poncho or raincoat, especially if you are traveling in the wet season (April-November) and sometimes even in the dry season
Mountain Travel
Two excursions will be in this area, Monteverde and Volcán Arenal. The mountain rainforests tend to be wet and muddy all year round this also includes the area around many volcanoes therefore it is a good idea to bring,
- Shoes you don’t mind getting repeatedly wet and muddy
- A raincoat or umbrella
- Pants and long sleeves, shorts or skirts do not work well in the rainforest.
- Once again dark clothes
- Swimsuit, swim trunks
- Lightweight hiking boots with a good tread suggested for hikes
- Walking or athletic shoe with a good tread suggested for walks
San José
In general Costa Ricans are very proper people who dress up despite the hot climate. They do not dress like they are going to the beach unless they are going to the beach. Men usually wear nice slacks and shirts while women wear nice pants or skirts.
- A few nice outfits for going out, young Costa Ricans get dressed up to go out.
- Good shoes for walking in the city with that you don’t mind getting dirty from city dust, but not all sneakers.
- Versatile clothing that can be worn on many different occasions.
- Light, water-resistant jacket that will keep you warm on a cool evening or during a sudden downpour, yet can be stuffed away or worn loosely on a warm day
- Clothes that can be layered
General
These are just a few things that you might not think of we do not include personal toiletries on the list because what you bring is your own personal preference.
- A small Spanish-English dictionary
- A Costa Rican phrasebook
- A good travel guide
The things listed above will also be in the WVA office but if you prefer to have your own copy by all means bring it!
- A money belt
- Cheap rain poncho
- Fleece or wool sweater
- Contact lenses and/or extra pair of sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Personal medications
- Anti-itch cream for insects bites
- Sunburn salve such as aloe vera gel
- Toilet paper, not all places have it is better to carry it
- Camera, film (it is expensive here) and waterproof case
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Medium size towel- backpacker towels that resemble a chamois, work great
- Earplugs (for light sleepers)
- Small padlock to lock your bag shut
- Travel alarm clock
- Notebook for traveling thoughts and addresses
- Binoculars
- Photos of family or friends are good conversation starters
- Address book so you can make everyone jealous by sending postcards
While you are in San José - Safety
While San José is a relatively safe city and Costa Ricans in general are very honest and friendly people a few problems do exist for the travelers. Crime most often tends to be opportunistic, pick pocketing and muggings are most common, however assault is on the rise so it’s best to be careful. Be aware of your surroundings and you will feel safe in San José. Travel warnings for Costa Rica are the same as they would be for most relatively safe tourist areas, so be vigilant and enjoy Costa Rica. Travel here is well worth the extra preparations. For more information about travel warnings visit www.travel.state.gov this will provide the most up to date information on Costa Rica. The best advice we can give you is to use COMMON SENSE, protect yourself the way you would in New York or Chicago or any other large city in the U.S.
Anti-American Feelings
It is an unfortunate but true fact that in today’s world not many people agree with U.S. foreign policy. It is very important that you are aware of this so you can be prepared when a problem arises. Many people, Costa Ricans and the world alike will want to discuss certain issues with you. It is best not to get into a heated confrontation discussing politics or any other sensitive topic for that matter.
Host Families
WVA takes great pride in providing each student with the best study abroad opportunity available. We believe for that to happen the student must be completely immersed in the culture and the best way is for them to live with a host family. We have spent a great amount of time finding appropriate families and matching them with the right students. There are just a few things we would like you to know about the families so that the experience will be enjoyed by all and there are no misunderstandings.
- It is customary to bring gifts upon arriving to the home of your host family.
- It’s important to remember that utilities are very expensive in Costa Rica and to limit your use of water and electricity to local levels.
- The Costa Rican families will treat you like their own, it is therefore important that you respect them and their homes. You can do this many ways a few examples are; calling the family if you are going to be late for dinner, letting them know when you have enjoyed a meal. Or if you are going to come late after going out be very quiet so that you do not wake anyone.
- Phone calls are relatively expensive in Costa Rica so if you are going to be using the phone in the house use a phone card. You can purchase these at the WVA office.
- If you want to invite friends inside the house, check with your host family beforehand to get permission.
- Most Costa Ricans think it is strange to go barefoot or with only socks on inside the house and they usually wear slippers or sandals at least.
- The families will vary as much as the personalities of our students do, it is important to be flexible and adjust to your family. Flexibility is the most important key to having a successful experience studying abroad.
Going Back to the U.S.
How do I get to the airport from San José?
If you are leaving on the end of program date set by WVA, we will provide private transportation for you to the airport.
Transcripts
The purpose of this section is to explain how WVA handles the transcripts of North American students who participate in our INTERNATIONAL LATIN AMERICAN programs. The transcripts must be sent to WVA from the foreign universities. Once the transcripts have been sent to WVA, the Academic Records Department will send one official transcript to the student's home (U.S.) university and an unofficial photocopy to each student.
Each transcript sent to the student’s university will be accompanied by an WVA cover letter providing important information that will facilitate the job of the transcript evaluator. The letter includes a translation of course titles, number of hours of instruction for each course, and the level of instruction for each course (i.e. beginning, intermediate, etc). As soon as the home university has received the transcripts, it takes approximately two months for universities to evaluate transfer credits and to update the student’s academic records. To transfer the credits, the students must obtain course approval from their home universities. WVA's recommendation is that students get this approval before departure.
When the WVA program ends, it can be helpful to students to meet with their teachers to check their grades before departure. This procedure can help avoid academic disputes after their program has ended. WVA recommends that students save all coursework and syllabi from the courses they complete at the Host University. This can be beneficial to the students if they contest a grade before returning to the United States. The reason for this is to facilitate the transfer of credits from the Host University to student’s home university.Additional Transcripts
When you need supplementary transcripts in the future (for jobs, graduate school, etc.) you must complete an Additional Transcript Request Form and send it with a payment of $20. Requests submitted with the corresponding cashier’s check, credit card or money order will be processed at least in three weeks. Unless the university or institution indicates that it will accept an official a copy from the student, WVA’s suggestion is that the student not asks for official copies to be sent to their home address. After receiving the payment, WVA will send an official copy of the foreign transcript to the requested location. All transcripts will be stored at the WVA’s Academic Records Department. Any questions about additional transcripts may be answered by e-mailing info@venturesabroad.com. Or you can use our contact form.