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Are you planning to enter University in Costa Rica? Do you want to gather as much information as possible before you travel?
Costa Rica is a beautiful country and offers some great options to enter university. My own brother-in-law, who is from the Canary Islands, did medical school in Madrid and went to university here for his specialty. There are many foreign students here because it’s still pretty affordable.
We have put together all the things you need to know about Costa Rica. So, just sit back and read on.
Have you been asking yourself: Should I go to Costa Rica and enter University? If so, we have got you covered. The 5 tips below are sure to address all your concern. But before you start grasping all the information, keep the following things in mind:
● Arriving in a new country as a student comes with its own challenges. So, be mentally prepared for all kinds of odds. Try not to resist the change.
● Experiencing cultural shock as an international student is normal. Try to gel in with the locals and build rapport.
● Financial challenges may arise. So, be ready to do part-time work.
All these things may increase your academic pressure. So, despite stressing yourself out, you may opt for pre-written essays for sale online. Here are some more things to know:
1. Safety first, be aware of mosquitoes
One of the most important things to know about the country is that there are mosquitoes in the beach areas year-round. But high-altitude destinations like San Gerardo de Dota, Poás Volcano, and other mountainous regions do not have too many mosquitoes. This is because where you will enter university, in the Central Valley, there are cooler temperatures.
Mosquitoes are prevalent in humid regions like beach areas and especially between May and October. So remember to keep a mosquito repellent with you, especially if you’re allergic to mosquito bites. Close your windows and door from dusk to dawn to prevent the risk of being bitten. Also, make sure your mosquito repellent has 30 to 50% DEET.
2. Tap water is safe to drink
Read all you can about this country. If you have any concerns, doubts, or qualms, do not stress too much about moving to a new place. Is drinking water is something you’re concerned about? Tap water in in the cities is generally safe to drink. However, it might not be safe in some rural and underdeveloped areas of the country. So, if you do some traveling, it’s better to be cautious. Purchase water bottled to be on the safe side.
Whereas, at home, use the water from the fridge or purify it if you have any doubts about its safety. Or just purchase bottled water.
3. Go outside of your comfort zone
Now that you’ve decided to enter university in Costa Rica, it’s time to get out of your comfort zone. Living in a new country with new people is never easy. It takes some getting used to the new lifestyle. You may need to do things that you’ve never done in your home country, such as:
● Live on your own;
● Do the dishes and laundry;
● Buy groceries;
It’s okay to take safe risks, such as:
● Dancing in front of strangers;
● Speaking Spanish with the locals;
● Going zip-lining;
● Making new friends.
4. Check Public Transport; it is safe and the way to travel
Cars are pretty expensive in Costa Rica. As a student, you might not be able to afford one. Day-to-day traveling by bus is cheap. However, you may have some negative connotations attached to commuting by bus, depending on where you come from. You do have to be careful with your belongings. Don’t wear your watch or jewelry on the bus.
If you’re one of those who believe it is something for the underprivileged, it’s time to develop a new mentality. You need to normalize yourself with the concept of traveling on a bus before you land in Costa Rica.
5. Life in Costa Rica is not cheap as people think
Reading about cheap fares and inexpensive food and water may make you think life is pretty cheap there. But, when it comes to electricity, it’s expensive because we have green energy. If you’re a North American, you might be accustomed to large dryers for drying clothes. This is why locals hang their clothes to dry outside.
Locally grown and produced food is cheap, but imported products have a high import tax. Get used to buy locally made food products and use their labels to learn Spanish better.
Bring all the clothes you need. All clothing sold in Costa Rica is imported and of bad quality.
Before you enter university, start looking for a place to live well ahead of time. It’s not so easy to find a nice and affordable apartment close to campus.
