Cultural Preparation - Costa Rica

Our Program Includes:

Pre-departure Support

• We’ll outline the entire process you’ll follow to realize the teaching abroad dream.
• You’ll be provided comprehensive information relating to each step in the pre-departure process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like, no matter how silly you may think they are!
• We’ll explain and help you get the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
• We’ll assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgeting and booking flights.
• We’ll ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip and share the positive and life-changing adventures of the teach abroad experience.   

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Logistics and Safety when arriving

• Airport pickup.
• We’ll introduce you to your 24/7 support team on the ground.
• Transfer from the airport to your accommodation is included for all participants arriving within the designated time frame prior to the start of the course.
• We provide you with a SIM card (airtime and data for your own account) so that you can contact your loved ones back home and your new friends you’re about to make on your epic orientation!
• We provide guidance setting up a local bank account so you can save money on international withdrawal fees. Your salary is paid into your local bank account.
• You’ll get to meet and greet fellow teacher travelers.

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A toolkit for navigating your new country

Our 1 week cultural orientation on Costa Rican culture and language gives you the perfect foundation for adjusting to life in Costa Rica as well as an opportunity to bond with your fellow teachers-in-training and in-country staff members.

Learn foundational Spanish language

We help you with foundational language to help you navigate:

• The bustling markets.
• Grabbing a taxi.
• Ordering a delicious meal.
• Garnering respect from locals.

(plus it’s pretty cool to impress your mates at home or add it to your resume!)

Cultural and History lessons

• Learn from local Costa Rican staff and ex-foreign teachers who have made their home in Costa Rica.
• You’ll understand the cultural dynamics so that you don’t feel like a fish out of water.
• You won’t be making any faux pas or disrespecting the locals.
• How to address locals and your fellow teachers.
• You will know what you can and can’t do in Costa Rican classrooms.

Relevant Cultural Excursions

Excursions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Tour of San Ramón to familiarize yourself with your home for the month.
• Experience the beautiful Las Musas Waterfall.
• Participating in authentic cooking lessons.
• Animal Rescue Center Day Visit, a non-profit rescue center that focuses on conservation, animal welfare and environmental education.
• We visit a coffee farm that produces the coffee that participants will have been drinking on a daily basis at the hostel! Participants will see where their coffee comes from, learn about different types of coffee and enjoy a tasting session afterwards!
• Trapiche Visit (Sugar Cane Mill) o see a traditional livelihood take place in a village and watch traditional sugar cane processing take place. Then afterwards grab a local lunch!
• Costa Rican Cooking Class – learn how to buy food from the markets and cook delicious Costa Rican fare!
• Beach Trip (Optional) – we make reservations for a beachfront hostel on the coast and offer to arrange transportation for anyone looking to head to Jaco beach on the first weekend. This enables participants to experience the stunning coastlines of Costa Rica.

We kick start the week with a tour of San Ramon so participants can get familiar with their home for the month. You’ll learn more about the town and find out all the practicalities you need to know to navigate your way around for the month.

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We visit a coffee farm that produces the coffee that participants will have been drinking on a daily basis at the hostel! Participants will see where their coffee comes from, learn about different types of coffee and enjoy a tasting session afterwards!

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Students will have the opportunity to see up close and learn about some of the incredible species that call Costa Rica home.

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Costa Rican traditional food is simple but delicious, consisting of rice, beans, salad and fish/chicken or steak. Empanadas are also a local favorite and focus of our cooking class. Participants will travel to the local market for a tour of different items to buy and then we will go to a local home and learn how to cook delicious Costa Rican fare.

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Empanadas are also a local favorite and focus of our cooking class. Learn how to make them to impress your friends back home!

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Explore Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches on your time-off from teaching and as part of your cultural orientation.

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A support network of fellow teacher travelers

In addition the personal assistance and 24/7 support we provide, you’ll also have a support network of fellow teachers.

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24/7 In-Country Support

• Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
• You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, culture shock, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
• Teacher meet-ups.
• We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.
  
  

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Have some fun and embrace your new adventure!