Teaching English In Rural School
 Poor, rural children are falling behind their rich counterparts in the cities because the schools are in bad shape physically, there isn't enough space to teach to all of the children, and there aren't enough qualified teachers or enough teachers in general to attend to all of the subjects and students. Rustic Volunteer Travel’s volunteer/travel projects in teaching English offer volunteers ample opportunity to explore the day-to-day life in Costa Rica while helping young students improve their English skills. Volunteers working in this English-teaching project can make a meaningful contribution in the lives of rural children helping them attain a better future as well as helping them to compete and participate in the global market.
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FAQs Costa Rica
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application
- There are two options for applying to volunteer in Costa Rica through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $299 deposit (this deposit will be deducted from your final program fee.) This program deposit is required to make an application valid.
- Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Costa Rica for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
- Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
- Preparation for trips should include reading about Costa Rica , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
- Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Costa Rica staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
All incoming US, UK , and Canadian citizens will be stamped with an automatic 90 day visa upon entry. They don't need to do it ahead of time, it isn't a separate process; their entry stamp gives them 90 days. If coming from other locations, please check with a Costa Rican Embassy or consulate for entrance requirements.
Rusic Volunteer Travel suggests all volunteers to get tourist visa before leaving for Costa Rica . Though US, UK , Canadian citizen get a visa at the airport it can be time consuming. You can get a Costa Rica visa from the Costa Rica Embassy or consulate in your country.
http://www.learn4good.com/travel/costa_rica_embassies.htm
For stays exceeding 90 days, apply for an extension within the first week of visit with the Costa Rican Immigration Department or exit the country for a minimum of 72 hours before re-entering on a new visa. |
| Health and safety : |
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
General Health Tips for volunteer in Costa Rica
- Water is very safe in all of Atenas and most of Costa Rica . When traveling to the beaches or very rural areas, drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Tap water should not be considered safe at the beaches nor fountain drinks and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact as it is not uncommon for local street merchants to sell tap water in resealed bottles.
- The most common health complaint in any developing nation is upset stomach/diarrhea/vomiting. In many cases the illness may be attributed merely to a change in diet, but occasional cases of food poisoning can occur, whereby the symptoms occur very quickly, severely and explosively. These are seldom serious or extended illnesses, but medical treatment should be sought if it occurs.
- Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits or fruits that have already been cut by unknown handlers on the street. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
- If you require any prescription drugs bring enough for the duration of the trip. They will need to be carried in their original prescription bottle and the prescription must be in your name.
It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, hydration powder, deet mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc. |
| Vaccination : |
We recommend all volunteer/participants visit the Center for Disease Control's website ( www.cdc.gov ) for traveler's health recommendations. Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South America including Costa Rica . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
- Malaria: if you are traveling to a malaria-risk area in this region, see your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to South America and Mexico .
- Rabies , if you experience extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- Yellow fever , for travelers to endemic areas in Panama
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles .
- Precaution again Malaria
- Required Vaccinations
- None
The best prevention of mosquito born diseases is long-sleeves and pants (especially in the early evening) in addition to using insect repellants. This area of Costa Rica has no malaria, but there are other mosquito-carried/transmitted diseases, such as dengue, that are just as bad and there is no vaccine, just prevention through clothing and repellent. |
| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollars? Can I use a debit card or credit card? Should I bring travelers checks?
The current exchange rate at this time is 515 colones/$1. Dollars can be changed at the exchange houses in the airport. Many businesses accept dollars at the current exchange rate. ATM machines are available in Atenas, San Jose , and the airport and they usually offer the option of dispensing in dollars or colones.
Do not come without any cash as ATM machines can be down or not accept your card. It is wise to check with your bank ahead of time to confirm that your card will work overseas. Debit cards and credit cards are becoming more acceptable at major stores; however, they are still not accepted as widely as in the States. Credit card fraud is a big issue in Costa Rica . Do not use your cards at any smaller or non-reputable locations. Travelers' checks will have to be exchanged in the banks as most locations will not accept them directly. Debit card is the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available in San Jose . Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but may not be widely accepted in smaller cities and not at all in the villages.
Find the Exchange Rate for Costa Rican Colones (CRC) at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $10/day. Your budget should also include money to explore Costa Rica in free time as well as for your personal use. |
| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff members stay in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2 weeks (if possible) and you are always welcome at the office. We recommend that the volunteers stop by the office once a week if they are in the local area just to let us know how they are doing with their home stay and project. Many minor issues can be overcome through a little communication long before they become major issues – ensuring that your trip is exactly what you had hoped for. Your project will have local staff members as well, though not our own. If your project is very far, then our local staff maintains communication by either email and/or phone. We are available to you at the office, by email, and by phone for your entire trip. It is our job to make sure that you are safe and healthy. Being that volunteers usually stay within a guesthouse which also doubles as the headquarters for our Costa Rican coordinators, volunteers have direct contact with their coordinators. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
There are 4 internet cafes in town which run around $1/hour. There are also international phone cards available to make international calls. Also, please use local phone cards for local calls as every minute of local or international use is billed to the families. If you need to contact the Rustic Volunteer Travel staff locally, the families will generally allow you to use the phone for short periods. |
| Climate of Costa Rica: |
Yahoo Weather forecast (http://weather.yahoo.com)
Weather channel ( http://www.weather.com )
Weather Underground ( http://www.wunderground.com )
Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands. |
| Gift for Host Family and Project: |
What gifts should I bring for my project and/or host family?
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the staff that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown/country logo, or pictures of your family and local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project and if you are working for an orphanage or a school, please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, as well as games for the children to enjoy. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring enough for a number of children. |
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