Information Letter from Crystal 7/31/2005
Queridos estudiantes,
Saludos. I hope you have all had a good summer. Mine was a little different than
I had expected. On the last day of classes at Mount Vernon High School I fell
and fractured and dislocated my right shoulder and some bones in my left foot.
Because of this I have not been able to do much--like write or drive and I am
still not back to normal, but am improving. I am still planning on going with
you all to Costa Rica. My husband, Mark, will be going also to help me.
I will be sending by regular mail another copy of your itinerary, but this one
also has on it your seat assignments for the flights. I will also be sending a
release that I need you to sign and return to me before you are allowed to study
abroad. Please return that to me at my home address (20 McIntosh Ct., Howard, OH
43028) as soon as possible.
Also would you please send me your parents’ names, e-mail and/or phone number?
I have kept a list of things to tell you to try to make your transition easier.
Most things are contained in the book I gave you, but I want to make sure and
point them out to you too. If you cannot make yourself read the whole book, I
think these are the most important pages. Please at least read these pages: 101,
104-106, 115-117, 119, 123, 139-140, 203-205, 216, 232, 241-247, 253-257.
DOCUMENTS AND SHOTS
Make two copies of the front page of your passport. Leave one at home and carry
one with you when you are out in Costa Rica. When you are out in Costa Rica you
will generally leave your passport at the house.
The original visa that you receive when you enter the country will need to be
renewed. The Institute will help you with that.
Make sure you have a current tetanus shot before you go.
Take several one-dollar bills with you. If you need to have a porter help you
with your bags, you tip about a dollar per bag. It is also good to have ones
because lots of times places will take ones, but if you have bigger bills they
won’t have change.
SAFETY
Remember that San Jose is a city. It is not like Mount Vernon or may not be like
the town you grew up in. There is obviously more crime in San Jose than in Mount
Vernon, although it is far safer than most US cities. Pickpocketing is the most
common crime. Girls, it is advisable you carry a shoulder strap and carry it
with the strap over your shoulder and the purse part under your arm. Guys, it s
advisable that you carry your wallet in your front pants pocket. Don’t ever just
leave your stuff sitting around in public and think it will be safe. Do not take
expensive or flashy jewelry.
Go places in groups, especially after dark. This is a good practice in the
States in a city also. If you are out late you may want to spend the night at
someone’s house instead of going to your house by yourself. Make sure and let
your Tica (Costa Rican) mama know if that is what you are doing. Also make sure
you check with the other person’s mama to make sure it is OK.
There tends to be more crime around the Coca Cola area, the bus station area,
and the market area.
Girls, you will have guys yell things out at you and on rare occasions a guy may
follow you. That is their way of flirting. IGNORE IT!!!! Do not smile or flirt
or say anything back! Responding encourages them and makes them think you are
interested in more.
Once in Costa Rica keep the phone number of your Costa Rican family with you at
all times. Directory assistance is not as available as in the U.S.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Continental allows two suitcases to be checked in. Each can weigh no more than
70 pounds and measure no more than 62” (add together the height, width, and
depth). You may also have one carry on that weighs up to 45 pounds and measures
up to 52”. I think that is a really big carry on. You may get tired carrying
that much around and it may be hard to find a place on board for one that big,
but that is what the airline told me was allowed. You are also allowed one
personal item like a purse or laptop. In your carry on pack your CD’s, a change
of underwear, medicine you may need, and anything that is more fragile and that
you want with you. Do not pack scissors, knives or manicure items in your carry
on. In summary, two checked pieces of luggage, one carry on, and one personal
item such as a purse or laptop is allowed.
Sheets and towels will be provided, but I think it is a good idea to take an
extra set of towels. You may also want to throw in some hangers. A flashlight
will also be useful.
Make sure you take a gift to your family. I think nice chocolates, placemats and
napkins, or towels are some nice ideas. You may also want to take algo MVNU
related.
You can buy nearly anything in Costa Rica that you can get here, but anything US
made is more expensive. I think it is much better to take film and personal
toiletries with you. Remember you will be much closer to the equator, so you
will need sunscreen. A good bug repellent will also be useful.
If you have any prescriptions that you take, make sure that you take a supply
for the whole time you are there. Take the prescriptions in your carry on and in
their original bottles.
I would take a good Spanish/English dictionary, 501 Verbs in Spanish, and a
Spanish Bible. You will be able to buy any other school supplies down there.
Remember you are going to be living with a family for four months so not every
minute is going to be planned and entertaining. You need to take some things
with you to keep you entertained. Some ideas are cards, games, music, books, and
movies. Check with others who are going and see if you can coordinate some
things between you.
WHAT TO WEAR
Generally, dress in Costa Rica is conservative and casual. It is much better to
be more conservative than not. Shorts are not worn except at the beach, and they
are not allowed on campus. Tops should be conservative (not midriff nor thin
straps). Do not dress in a way that is going to draw attention to you. (I just
told a friend of mine that went to Chicago with me the same advice.)
Flip flops tend to be worn only by the maids in Costa Rica or only around the
house, so I would not wear flip flops on the street. When Grettel was here in
the spring she thought it was hilarious that stores were selling flip flops and
that they were in style here. You do need to take a pair of sturdy shoes as you
will be walking much more there than here and sometimes you will be hiking in a
rain forest.
It will be the rainy season most of the time you are there so make sure you take
a good umbrella; a rain poncho may come in handy also.
Take one dressy outfit in case your family has a wedding, or other formal
function, or you want to go out for a nice dinner.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
In some places in Costa Rica you may not be able to flush the toilet paper. The
sewage system cannot take it. This is true in many parts of the world, but
Americans die with the thought of it at first. You wrap the used toilet paper in
clean toilet paper and put it in the wastebasket that is provided near the
toilet. I know after all my travel experience this is still a hard one for me to
get used to. Check with your family or Grettel to see for sure, but that is
probably going to be the case.
Drinking water in Costa Rica is safe. Do be careful eating anything from the
street vendors. Generally it is OK to eat if it can be peeled or is hot from a
fire. Just be mindful of the conditions and realize that you probably have not
built up an immunity that Costa Ricans have.
Costa Ricans do not have as much hot water as we do. There is usually not enough
hot water for long, hot showers. There may be a heater you have to turn on
before your shower to heat the water or the water may be heated by the sun.
Tips (propina) are usually included in the bill, so don’t leave additional money
unless the service is exceptional or you just want to.
You will see beggars as in any city, although not as many in Costa Rica as in
many places. Again it is better to ignore them because if you start giving money
you are soon marked as an easy target. This is sometimes very hard to do and it
is not wrong to give money, just be wise with your money.
Don’t ask just one person for directions on the street. Ask repeatedly and go
with what the majority tells you. There are not commonly used street addresses
in Costa Rica as there are here. They will always refer to algo as so many
meters from such and such in a certain direction. 100 meters is about a block.
It is extremely important that you learn a landmark that is close to your house
or ask your family how to describe their address, before you go out somewhere by
yourself. You have to be able to describe to a taxi cab driver where the house
is. Write it down and carry it with you if you feel more comfortable doing that.
Barter in the markets, but usually not in the stores.
Do not entertain persons of the opposite sex in your bedroom.
Tica mamas may tend to be a little protective. Let them know where you are going
and when to expect you. If you are going to be coming in late, let them know
that. Let them know if you will not be home for a meal, so they know how to
plan.
As a group you will be fixing a traditional American dinner for your Tica
families. They look forward to this and it is usually a very meaningful time for
both you and them. Don’t worry if you do not know how to cook. There will be
stuff you can do.
Remember the chapel time is required there also. Get involved in it. Volunteer
to do algo that you can do.
The service project is also required for your culture course and it will
probably be one of the most rewarding parts for you.
Spend time with each other, but also spend time with the Costa Ricans. That is
how you will really learn the most.
You are about to embark upon the experience of a life time. It is exciting, but
I also know it may be scary for some of you. My home phone is 740-393-7871. Call
me if you have questions or e-mail me at ctuel@mvnu.edu. My school phone (after
school starts) is 740-392-6868, ext. 3504. Make sure your parents have that
information and that you take it with you.
Gracias,
Crystal
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This page was last edited on Thursday January 26, 2006.