My daughter has signed up for one of those volunteer abroad programs that will see her in Costa Rica for two months early next year. She will be working as a teachers’ aide in a program to increase literacy skills/help retain pupils at the school because apparently the drop-out rate from regular schooling in Costa Rica is incredibly high.
Now, being a neurotic mother, I’m chuffed that she is off to see the world and doing good things, but I am also scared for her because Costa Rica is on the other side of Jupiter (from an Aussie perspective) and I have no idea what to do to help her prepare for her journey.
Has anybody done one of these programs, or travelled to Costa Rica and can give me the Straightdope on what to expect/avoid/embrace while there?
I haven’t been there and there’s surely someone who can give you a better report on Costa Rica, but generally speaking, Costa Rica is more stable and safe than its Central American neighbors. I have a friend who went there and had no problems. Sure there’s poverty, but as far as I know, there not any major civil unrest or crime problems you have to worry about.
We spent 8 days there last November and loved it. It’s very, very poor by our first-world standards, but it’s considered quite advanced by the standards of most other Central American countries. Everyone has cell phones, for example, and our hotel had an Internet-capable computer in the lobby for guests’ use.
The country has no military, and IIRC, they haven’t been hit by a hurricane in a very long time (decades or longer). They do get earthquakes however (talk about a surprise on our last night in the country). A travel guide specific to the country should give some good information on safety tips (most are the same common sense tips you’d find anywhere). I strongly recommend she try to avoid driving. They don’t have rules of the road; they’re more like suggestions.
The humidity is hell on electronics, by the way. Get her water-resistant whenever possible. Our new digital camera was completely destroyed halfway through that trip (we were literally in the middle of the jungle during that time, however).
I went to Costa Rica for my honeymoon. It is a lovely country and pretty safe. It is considered the oasis of Central America and it deserves that reputation. Tourism is the major industry and there are lots of Americans around because of tourism but also because of a fairly sizable ex-pat population. The quality of health care is good. Doctors are well trained and hospitals provide a range of modern services. The Costa Rican people are friendly, polite, and seem genuinely appreciative of Americans visiting their country. Costa Ricans in any of the service industries can generally speak some English. The median income is pretty low by western standards but there aren’t huge pockets of poverty like there are in other Central American countries. Most Costa Ricans live in quaint, small houses that are well kept. I have heard that real estate is booming there.
There is not much of a downside to the country. It is basically a giant eco-toursim theme park with a range biodiversity seen in few places in the world. To give you a comparison, I am sure that Costa Rica is much safer and has much less poverty than say Mexico.
I think your daughter will be fine. I would let mine go.
I went to Costa Rica for three months as an exchange student way back in 1978. It was wonderful. Costa Rica is and was a beautiful place and the best of Central America IMO.
She’ll have a wonderful time.
My daughter has been talking about doing something similar. Can you give me some more information on the group she’s going with? If you don’t want to post it my e-mail is in my profile. Thanks.