Q: When do participants find out where they are teaching?
A: Anywhere from one month to two weeks prior to departure. Teaching placements are determined by the WorldTeach Field Staff in consultation with the Ministry of Education. Once accepted to the program, a volunteer may express general preferences with regard to their teaching or living situation. The Field Staff will take these preferences and the volunteer's background into account when matching them with a suitable school and host family. Since WorldTeach also has to take into account the needs of the host communities, and the direction of the Ministry, we cannot guarantee any particular placement. This process of matching volunteers with placement sites is done once the Field Staff has received information on all the volunteers in the group.
Q: What type of housing do volunteers stay in?
A: Volunteers live with Costa Rican host families, either in the family's home or in a room or house nearby. Most volunteers have their own bedroom and share the bathroom and living space with their host family. They eat meals with the family and enjoy being a part of family life. Host families are paid a stipend (provided by the Ministry of Education, administered by WorldTeach) to cover the costs of hosting a volunteer.
Volunteers will live with two host families during the course of the program, one during orientation and another at their teaching site. Host families are eager to host a volunteer because they enjoy the cultural exchange and they tend to treat the volunteer like one of the family. Volunteers find that living with a family takes patience and flexibility but enables them to integrate into the community, learn about the culture, and make lasting friendships.
Please keep in mind that housing accommodations in Costa Rica will generally not be as comfortable as in the US. The WorldTeach Field Staff visit every site to ensure that you will be housed safely; however, you should not expect "all the comforts of home." If this is a concern for you, please contact WorldTeach. We can put you in touch with a former volunteer who can elaborate on what you can expect in Costa Rica.
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Q: Does WorldTeach arrange travel to Costa Rica?
A: WorldTeach does arrange travel for the Costa Rica Summer Group. The group will meet at a designated departure city airport and then travel together to San José, Costa Rica. The international flight from the departure city (usually Miami, but subject to change) to San José is covered by the WorldTeach program fee, as is the return flight at the end of the program. WorldTeach purchases round-trip tickets valid for the duration of the program at a discounted group rate. Each volunteer is responsible for getting him/herself to the departure city. More details of the group flight arrangements will be available about 2 months prior to departure. You will then be asked to confirm your travel plans. Many volunteers are able to find discounted or teacher/student fare to the departure city on the internet or from student travel agencies such as Student Universe or STA Travel.
Q: Can volunteers make their own travel arrangements?
A: Volunteers may opt out of the WorldTeach group flight. Those leaving from outside the United States or planning to travel in Costa Rica before the program starts should plan on arranging their own flights. Volunteers that do book their own travel to Costa Rica must plan to arrive in San José on or before the date of the group flight's arrival so that they do not miss any orientation activities. Volunteers traveling independently must inform the program manager in writing of their travel plans. Volunteers that purchase their own air ticket will have the group airfare deducted from their program fee.
Q: Can volunteers come home during the summer?
A: WorldTeach volunteers in Costa Rica are employees of the Ministry of Education and are responsible for teaching full time for the duration of the program. Because volunteers’ time in Costa Rica is short, it is very difficult to schedule any time to go home, though exceptions can be made in emergency situations. Any trips home or other personal travel will be at volunteers’ own expense.
Q: Will there be a chance to travel to other places?
A: Volunteers will have opportunities to see different areas of Costa Rica. The group spends the week of orientation as a group in a small town located about an hour and a half from San José. After orientation, volunteers travel to their individual teaching sites. The group then reconvenes for a Mid-Service Conference and again at the end of the summer for an End of Service debriefing meeting. Travel costs to attend these program-related meetings will be covered by WorldTeach. Any travel volunteers choose to do beyond these program activities will be at the volunteers’ own expense, and must be during weekends or school vacations.
Volunteers often find that they want to visit other volunteers over weekends or explore another part of the country. Program participants should bring spending money for personal travel.
Q: Do WorldTeach volunteers need to get a visa?
A: No visa is required for entry to Costa Rica for volunteers that are US, Canadian, or EU passport holders. Volunteers receive a tourist/visitor visa that’s good for 90 days upon arrival. Non-US passport holders that are applying for the WorldTeach Costa Rica program should contact the WorldTeach office to discuss their visa needs as citizens from some countries need to fill out an application for a tourist visa prior to traveling.
Q: What immunizations are required?
A: No immunizations are required for entry to Costa Rica. However, all accepted volunteers should contact their doctor or travel health specialist to find out which immunizations are recommended for travel to Latin America. Aside from a health professional, the best source of information on immunizations and travel health is the Center for Disease Control's website. This site provides recommendations for travel to Central America as well as detailed information on specific diseases. Volunteers may also refer to the Healthy Travel guide that WorldTeach will sends in all confirmation packets.
Please understand that WorldTeach staff members are not qualified to give medical advice.
Q: What if I get sick? Are there doctors and hospitals?
A: Almost everyone experiences some discomfort or sickness as their bodies adjust to a new environment. Volunteers need to look after themselves and reach out to the people in their communities for help. There are public clinics in most major towns and a private hospital in San José. WorldTeach also is in contact with an English-speaking doctor at the private hospital who has been more than willing to help WorldTeach volunteers should they become ill.
All WorldTeach volunteers have supplementary overseas health and emergency evacuation insurance coverage. For medical expenses (such as doctors visits, prescribed medicines, etc.), volunteers pay up front, keep the receipt, and then file a claim to get reimbursed by the insurance company. All volunteers are covered under the WorldTeach group insurance policy; it is not optional. The policy has been designed specially with WorldTeach volunteers in mind.
Applicants with pre-existing conditions that may impact their experience in-country should ask to speak with the Program Manager to find out more about how they can manage their condition abroad.
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A: While there is always some level of risk involved in traveling and living in a developing country, WorldTeach pays close attention to US State Department and Embassy advice and does not place volunteers in any area that is considered dangerous.
Costa Rica is a stable democratic country. Many people visit Costa Rica as tourists, students, or on business. Costa Rica is also a developing country with economic difficulties that give rise to social tensions. Theft is present and accepted volunteers will need to take sensible precautions to look after their personal belongings. WorldTeach encourages volunteers not take any belongings that they are not prepared to lose.
As in most countries, road accidents pose the greatest risk. Volunteers will need to use common sense and be responsible and aware of their surroundings, and travel with other people wherever possible. Your host family and community will know you and look out for your safety. Your Field Director will discuss safety and health during orientation, and you will each be registered with your Embassy in case of a national emergency.
Q: Do volunteers have internet access?
A: Internet access is becoming more readily available in Costa Rica. It is unlikely that summer volunteers will have internet in their towns, but there will be internet access in regional towns and cities a few hours from most volunteers’ sites.
Q: What would I need to take with me?
A: A suggested packing list will be included in the Summer Handbook (which accepted volunteers receive with their confirmation packets). Volunteers should not take too much baggage as they will need to be able to carry it easily. Most things (such as soap, medications, etc) are available in Costa Rica.
A: No stipends are paid to summer volunteers. However, many volunteers find that they qualify for scholarships and international travel/internship funds from their universities or other funding agencies. Volunteers are encouraged to look into these possibilities.
Q: How much money do volunteers take with them?
A: The amount of spending money volunteers need is very subjective. It depends on how much volunteers travel and the lifestyle volunteers lead. Volunteers living in or frequenting urban areas probably spend more money than volunteers in rural areas who spend most weekends in their host community. Costa Rica is not as inexpensive as some other countries in Central/South America. While room and board (daily meals) are provided by the host community and WorldTeach reimburses program-related travel to meetings, volunteers need some spending money for personal costs such as communications with home and social activities.
