General:
1) What time are the Spanish classes held during the day?
Intensive Spanish classes are held Monday - Friday from 8am-12pm. If you are taking electives they will be held in the afternoons Monday - Thursday.
2) Where do I send mail?
You will send mail from the Tico Viajero Expresso Office at Veritas. You can also purchase stamps at the office.
3) How will I call my family from Costa Rica without it costing too much?
You can buy phone cards from the office at Veritas or nearby stores or call collect by dialing the U.S. Canada country code of 001. You could also use Skype online calling.
4) Can I use American dollars and travelers checks in Costa Rica?
Many places accept American dollars and some accept travelers checks. The exchange rate between dollars and Costa Rican colones is about 570 colones to 1 American dollar, though this tends to fluctuate.
Weather:
5) What is the climate like in San Jose?
Costa Rica is a tropical country and thus gets a lot of rain. You can expect to get rained on every afternoon if you come during the rainy season between May and November, so bring an umbrella. The weather is quite moderate at around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit in the capital and slightly hotter near the coasts.
6) Will I need warm clothes?
Yes, it is better to bring one or two sweaters because the climate can change from one day to another.
Home Life:
7) Do I do my own laundry at my house?
No, this is provided by your Tica family once a week.
8) Am I expected to clean house/do dishes, etc?
No, your Tica family takes care of the housework. Only common courtesy is expected of you as a guest of the family.
9) I have never taken Spanish before or I can barely speak Spanish. How am I going to communicate with my family?
Since you are surrounded by Spanish speakers every day you will improve very rapidly. Some suggestions for speeding up the process and being able to communicate more easily in less time are:
- Talk to your Tica family as much as you can. They understand that you are not a native speaker and will love to spend time with you even with your limited Spanish.
- Watch Spanish TV. It will improve your listening and understanding skills.
- Get movies from the large collection of DVD's that Veritas offers at the library. There are many in Spanish and in English and the majority are subtitled in both languages.
Safety:
10) Can I drink the water?
Drinking water is safe in the majority of the country including San Jose. Just be more careful when you are out in the country where the water might not be quite as safe.
11) What if I get sick?
The bilingual clinic Hospital Clínica Biblica is close and a good place to go. You can also purchase health insurance from the school.
12) Should I carry my passport with me while I'm in Costa Rica?
No, you should only carry a copy of your passport with you because you don't want the original to be stolen.
13) If I have an emergency, whom do I call?
Director Alejandra Barahona 8912-8554
Executive Assistant Esteban Adams 8848-1947
Housing Coordinator Marielos Rodríguez 8931-4244
Logistics Coordinator Luis González 88510660
14) Will I get robbed?
If you are smart and don't walk around with your ipod, laptop, expensive cell phone, and large jewelry exposed you will probably be okay. When walking around town stay in groups and try not to talk too loudly in English or act too much like a gringo as thieves target Americans. To thieves people from the U.S. are rich and worth stealing from.
