Predeparture Playa Tamarindo AYA 2012

Accreditations and Memberships

The EF International Lan-guage Centers in London,

Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Manchester, Bristol

and Bournemouth are:

EF Dublin is accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers

in the USA are members of:

The EF Internation-al Language Cent-

ers in the USA are accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in

Sydney, Brisbane and Perth are accredited by:

EF Nice is recognized with the Label Qual-ité Français Langue

Etrangère.

EF Vancouver and Toronto are accredited by Languages Canada.

All EF Courses are certified by Southern

New Hampshire University.

EF Education is an active participant in

the Comité Européen de Normalisation.

The EF International Language Centers

in Brisbane and Perth are mem-

bers of:

The EF International Language Centers in

Cambridge, München, Cape Town and Nice are

accredited by:

The EF International Language Centers in London, Cambridge,

Brighton, Oxford, Manchester and Bourne-mouth are members of:

All EF Courses are recog-nized by Hult International

Business School.

Federation of International Youth

Travel Organizations.

Academic Year AbroadFor adults and Students aged 16 & above

EF International Language Centers

www.ef.com

EF Playa Tamarindo

Important Note: Factual information contained in this document is subject to change.

Welcome to Costa Rica, a rich, natural paradise

with a permanent spring climate. Spend your year

in Tamarindo with EF where you will learn Spanish

in a relaxed beach town with a youthful nightlife and

access to untouched nature.

Contact details:EF Escuela Internacional de Español, Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa RicaTel: +(506) 2 653 2095

Watch a video

Or visit us atFacebook.com/EFPlayaTamarindo

Playa Tamarindo

Section Topic

1 ..........Introduction to EF

2 ..........Welcome to Costa Rica

3 ..........Weather watch

4 ..........Travel & transfer service

5 ..........School information

6 ..........Academics

7 ..........Accommodation & meals

8 ..........Money matters

9 ..........Phones, faxes & Internet

10 ........Health care & insurance

11 ........School activities & excursions

12 ........Transportation

13 ........Expectations

14 ........Costa Rican culture & living tips

15 ........Adjusting to a new culture

16 ........EF school calendar & holidays

17 ........Checklist

Contents - Playa Tamarindo

Dear Student

Thank you for choosing EF Tamarindo to study

Spanish. The staff and I are very excited to meet

you. We will introduce you to the school, the town of

Tamarindo and help you make this an experience of a

lifetime! You will be surrounded by a new culture from

the moment you arrive and will have the opportunity

to make friends with both Ticos (people from Costa

Rica) and fellow classmates from all over the world.

The warm weather of Guanacaste offers you an

enjoyable atmosphere to study and to participate in

all kinds of outdoor activities. EF is surrounded by the

rich nature of this exquisite countryside. You can get

a sun tan, or go surfing, fishing and diving from its

beautiful beaches or head inland into the depth of its

verdant jungles. We look forward to meeting you in

Tamarindo!

Best wishes,

Melisa Soto, School Director

EF International Language Center,

Playa Tamarindo

3 Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

2. Welcome to TamarindoTamarindo, located on the North West Coast

of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste,

is well-known for its spectacular coast lines,

golden beaches, and fantastic surfing opportu-

nities year round.

Tamarindo is a small developing coastal town

built on the estuary of a river. While the town is

growing quickly, it still maintains a rustic charm,

warm open friendliness, and relaxed tropical air.

It has many restaurants, bars and nightclubs,

several shops with art and handicrafts. There is

year round sun and blue skies, with afternoon

showers in the rainy season. Temperatures range

from between 72ºF (22ºC) and 92ºF (34ºC).

A variety of beaches lie close to Tamarindo,

each with their own charm, distinction and

challenge for the adventurous surfers or keen

naturalist. Outdoor activities abound in the

immediate area, including: fishing, sailing,

snorkelling, diving and kayaking. Giant turtle

watching is another popular attraction. Heading

inland you can go off-roading on quads, bikes

or hiking on foot. There is much to discover in

the rich diversity of Costa Rica including the

famous Volcano of Arenal and the many natural

parks full of biodiversity and wildlife. In conjunc-

tion are the adventure of long canopy rides

through the parks’ tree tops, the adrenaline

of riding high above the jungle’s floor and the

breathtaking views from such heights. If you still

have energy in the evening you can dance until

the early hours to the rhythmic beats of salsa

and reggae or if that’s too hectic take it easy

relaxing in hot springs, a chilled bar or simply

swing away in one of the many hammocks

strung between the trees.

The school is situated above the Tamarindo

town centre, catching the cool breeze as it

sweeps off the sea. It is set amongst many

beautiful trees and tropical plants and is home

to Congo monkeys and several large iguanas

which wander around the pool.

3. Weather WatchThe subtropical climate of the Guancaste

province is ideal for outdoor sports, activities

and recreation as the average temperature is

92ºF (34ºC) in the summer and 80.5ºF (27°C) in

the winter. Sunshine prevails all year round! The

winter months (June-November) are character-

ised by afternoon rain showers followed by nice

weather. Rainfall is very heavy in the months of

October and November. You should bring sun

block for adequate protection from the strong

tropical sun.

4. Travel & TransferTransfer Service

Arriving at a busy airport in a foreign city can be

confusing. EF offers a one-way transfer service

from Santamaría International Airport (San Jose)

or The Daniel Oduber International Airport of

Liberia to the school residence or your home-

stay. It is strongly recommended that you take

advantage of this service and that you try to fly

into Liberia as the transfer is much quicker.

At least one month before your arrival, you

must inform the EF office in your country of the

exact details of your flight (date, arrival time,

airline, and flight number). This assists us in

preparing for your arrival.

Before you leave your home country, you

should put EF baggage tags on each piece

of luggage (including your carry-on baggage)

indicating your home address and the address

of the EF school. This will help in the location

and recovery of your luggage in case it is lost or

misdirected during your travel. If you have paid

for an EF transfer, please follow the instructions

below. If you have arranged for an EF transfer

and take a taxi instead, EF will not be able to

reimburse you later.

When you arrive at the airport on an interna-

tional flight, look for the EF Greeter after you

pass through customs. He or she will be wear-

ing an EF T-shirt and/or carrying an EF sign.

The greeter will be waiting for you outside the

main arrivals exit. If you have waited longer than

1. Introduction to EFEF Education First, welcomes students of all ages from every corner of the world to learn a language at our schools all over the world. Our innovative curriculum uses an intensively structured academic program along with an array of educational and so-cial activities, resulting in a fast and fun way to learn a language.

EF students come from diverse backgrounds and like you, they have chosen a program to enhance their language skills as part of their academic or career plan. Many have planned for many years to take advantage of this opportunity.

A large percentage of our students ap-ply their new language skills by taking a recognized exam. Successful completion provides the necessary language qualifi-cations for university and for professional endeavours. Many students view their time with EF as a chance to explore educational alternatives whilst honing language and study skills.

A great aspect of an EF program is the variety of nationalities at our schools. We welcome you to join this international com-munity where you’ll experience life and language with EF. We take great pride in our continuing dedication to our mission - breaking down barriers of language and culture.


30 minutes, call the EF emergency phone, the

number will be given to you by your local EF

office before your departure.

If you are unable to locate the EF Greeter, have

missed one of your flights, have arrived on a

different flight or date or are lost; you should

go to the nearest pay telephone and call the

EF emergency number given to you from your

local office before your departure.

Students Arriving Independently

If you are staying at the residence and are

taking private transport to the EF student resi-

dence, please try to get there between 12:00

pm and 6:00 pm. An RA will be waiting to

welcome you and show you to your room.

If you would like to take a taxi, follow the signs

from the baggage claim area to the taxi stand.

A taxi ride to Tamarindo from Liberia will take a

little over an hour and will cost approximately

$60.00 plus tip. From San Jose it is a little over

five hours and will cost up to $200.

If you are staying at a homestay and are travel-

ling independently, you should go directly to your

homestay. In this case, please try to let your

hosts know ahead of time when to expect you.

5. School InformationFacilities

The school is located just outside the main

town centre, which means it is very quiet and

peaceful. The building is colonial in design and

built around a pool where students can relax

after classes. The building also has shaded

patio areas, terraces and balconies which

overlook the school and surrounding nature.

We have a barbecue area for students to

cook-out on and a small café which serves

food and drinks. The school is fully equipped

with AC and with wireless Wi-Fi Internet, so

students bringing laptops will have Internet

access. There is a computer lab which is open

for classes and for checking personal email.

EF staff

The School Director is assisted by an Academic

Director, an Administrative Coordinator, and an

Activities Coordinator. The Activities Coordinator

can assist students in arranging travel plans, or-

ganising social events, games and excursions.

EF has staff members who live in the school

and will help you get settled into the residence

when you arrive. The Resident Advisor (RA)

oversees student life in the residence and is also

available in case of an emergency.

6. AcademicsThe EF academic programme gives students

the opportunity to study the Spanish language

and the Costa Rican culture for as long and

with as much intensity as suits the student and

his or her needs. Intensive, Exam Preparation

and General courses of study are available at

EF Costa Rica. All students will attend gram-

mar, listening, speaking, reading and writing

classes.

Orientation

On your first day of orientation, you will be

tested in your knowledge of the Spanish

language with a fluency test. This testing will

measure your grammar and listening com-

prehension abilities. From the results of this

testing, you will be placed into one of eight

different language levels.

At this time you will also receive your class

schedule. As your Spanish language skills

become stronger, you will be promoted into

the next language level. You may speak with

your teacher if you feel you have been placed

into the wrong level. Please note that you will

alternate between morning and afternoon

classes.

Special Interest Courses

General and Intensive courses include a num-

ber of Special Interest classes (SPINS). After

your level test you will be given a choice of a

number of SPINS. Some of these options re-

quire intermediate level Spanish or above. Also

a minimum number of students are required

for each option. The selection of SPIN classes

vary throughout the year so each semester

may have a different set of SPIN classes.

Course books

As part of your academic program, you’ll be

expected to buy the books and classroom

materials that you will use in class. The exact

number of books that you’ll need is determined

by your academic level, progress and choice of

special interest classes. If you wish to buy ad-

ditional books you may need more money. The

books you buy are yours to keep, write in and

take home with you for future reference.

Attendance

At the end of your course you will receive a

certificate showing that you have attended

classes regularly. However, please note that in

order to be eligible for an EF certificate, stu-

dents are expected to participate in class and

must attend at least 80% of all classes.

7. Accommodation & MealsYou can choose to live in local homestay or

residence accommodation. For your comfort

and safety please observe the following rules in

either accommodation options:

❚ The taking of drugs is strictly forbidden.

Students not respecting this rule will be sent

home immediately at their own expense.

❚ No animals are allowed in the rooms.

❚ No open flames (candles etc) are allowed in

the rooms. No alcohol is allowed on campus.

All students must pay a $100 key and dam-

age deposit upon arrival. The deposit will be

returned to you at the end of the programme,

less any charges for a dirty or damaged room,

lost key or other outstanding costs incurred

while at the school. Lost keys cost $50.00.

Homestay Accommodation

Please advise your EF office, or your homestay

of your expected arrival time. This will allow the

homestay to plan their day accordingly and to

make sure there is someone there when you

arrive.

Any special request for arranging additional

nights should be confirmed with your sales

office prior to departure. Please note: most

homes in Costa Rica are not air conditioned

and have no hot water; our homestay families

are no exception.

Bedroom: You will be provided with bed linens,

closet space and towels. You will also have

access to a desk or table, which may be in an-

other room. You will share a room with another

student unless you specifically request a single

room, in which case there is a supplementary

fee. Your roommate will be a student of a dif-

ferent nationality, although we are not able to

guarantee this year round.

Bathroom: Please be considerate of the fam-

ily’s habits when using the bathroom. Please

also be aware that all sanitary products, includ-


ing toilet paper MUST be disposed of in the

waste paper bins and NOT down the toilet.

Laundry: Your hosts will wash your sheets and

towels. They will also do one load of washing

a week of your clothes. Please do not wash in

the bathroom and dry them in your room. All

families have a laundry room, ask them where

it is.

Inviting friends: Please ask your hosts before

you invite friends into the family’s home. Please

do not expect your hosts to serve meals to

your friends.

Damages: Should you cause any damages to

your host’s property, inform them immediately

and settle the matter directly with them. EF

acts only as a mediator and cannot assume re-

sponsibility for any damages you have caused.

Telephones: Do not use your host’s telephone

without asking them first. If you want to make

a phone call to your own country, reverse the

charges, use a phone card or have your family

to call you.

Keys: You will most likely be given a key to your

home. Please keep it safe. If you lose it, you

may have to pay for it, which could be expen-

sive since the locks will need to be changed.

Meals: You will have your meals (breakfast and

dinner Monday-Friday and all meals on the

weekends) together with your hosts at their

meal times. If you plan not to eat at home,

please let your hosts know ahead of time.

Usually dinner will take place at around 7 pm.

During school days it is usual to have a second

breakfast at the 9.20 am break in order to keep

going until lunchtime. For lunch you can buy a

snack/sandwich or cooked meal at the school

cafeteria. Please respect yoru host’s privacy at

lunchtime, except on weekends when you will

receive three meals a day. Please do not cook

in your host’s kitchen, although you may use

their refrigerator to store food and water.

Problem solving: Should you feel unhappy

with your homestay, please try to discuss any

problems with your hosts. You may suffer from

“culture shock” because the Costa Ricans may

do things differently from what you are used

to at home. However, if you have any serious

problems and are still unhappy after the first

week, you should speak to the Adminstrative

Coordinator who can give you advice, answer

your questions and if necessary may be able to

find another homestay for you.

Changing homestays: Should you wish to

change your accommodation in any way dur-

ing the course you must give EF staff seven

days notice, if possible. If you do not respect

this notice period, you may be subject to a

penalty fee.

Student Residence

As an alternative to staying with a homestay,

EF offers the option of residence accom-

modation, located in the same building as

the school. Residence accommodation is in

shared bedrooms. All rooms have AC, TV,

shared bathrooms and access to kitchen facili-

ties. Single rooms are available at a supple-

mentary price.

Meals in residence: Accommodation in the

residence is self-catering and each student

apartment has an equipped kitchen that is

shared between four students.

Laundry: There are laundry facilities at the

school which cost $1 per kilo.

General advice for residence living: As a typi-

cal Student Residence, it cannot be compared

to a hotel, so please do not expect daily maid

service and other conveniences that only a ho-

tel can offer. The big advantage is that you stay

on the school premises, and are surrounded

by other interesting international students. We

therefore request that you behave respectfully

towards others and avoid making unnecessary

noise after 11 p.m.

Swimming pool: There is a pool to enjoy,

which closes at 8 pm each night.

EF ID cards: For your own safety we do not

allow guests in the school. All students must

carry EF IDs and show these to the security

guard upon entrance to the school.

Onsite staff: There will be a Residence Advisor

(RA) living at the residence to whom you can

turn if you have any questions or concerns

during your stay.

Room configuration and amenities: Generally

you will share a twin room with one student

of another nationality. Your room will contain

a bed, closet, desk and chair and a lockable

drawer. All rooms have bathrooms shared by

four people.

Linens: Bed linens are provided. No towels are

provided so please bring your own.

Cleaning service: Your rooms will be cleaned

regularly, but you are expected to keep your

rooms clean and tidy.

Sanitary issues: Do not throw paper and other

products in the toilet. Instead use the waste

bins provided. These will be emptied twice daily.


Key and damage deposit: You will be responsible

for any damages caused by you, or for the loss of

keys.

Incoming calls: Family and friends can call you on

the school phone and leave a message. There is a

student phone for outgoing calls.

Post: If you need documents or parcels sent to

you, they should be sent to:

EF Escuela Internacional de Español

Apartado de Correos 86-5159

Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Extremely important parcels (credit cards, phones,

iPods, cameras) are better sent by DHL, UPS or

Fed Ex.

Protect your belongings: If you leave valuables in

your room lock them in the drawer provided or in

your suitcase. You are responsible for your own

belongings.

Meals: No meals are provided for students living

in the residence except for the first lunch upon ar-

rival. There are kitchens for self-catering purposes.

The kitchens need to be kept clean daily by the

students in the residence.

8. Money MattersCurrency

The currency of Costa Rica is Colones, but most

places accept dollars including taxis. The ap-

proximate exchange rate is $1.00 is equivalent to

500 Colones.

Spending money

We recommend that you bring approximately

$200 in cash for expenses upon arrival and the

rest of your spending money in traveller’s cheques.

We recommend that you take between $75 and

$150 per week, excluding excursions, depending

on how much travelling, shopping and eating in

restaurants you plan to do during your visit to the

Tamarindo area. Don’t forget that you need $200

in cash or traveller’s cheques, $100 for your school

deposit and another $100 for your book fee.

You will also need to take money for learning mate-

rials used in class and for any language proficiency

exams you plan to take.

Credit cards and ATM

There are many ATMs in Costa Rica and all issue

both currencies ($ and Colones) and take most

credit cards. We however recommend that you use

Visa or Master Cards. It is advisable to not carry

too much cash around with you – remember there

are thieves in all countries! We cannot accept pay-

ment with credit cards in the school.

Banking

You can exchange money in most banks and cash

traveller’s cheques, but we cannot do this in the

school. We will however take traveller’s cheques for

payment of activities and school deposits.

Wiring Money

Wiring money to Costa Rica is possible with West-

ern Union, but you may have to travel up to one

hour to Liberia to pick it up. It is therefore advisable

to bring a little extra money in traveller’s cheques

instead.

9. Telephones, fax & InternetTelephone

All long distance calls must be collect calls, charged

to the person you are calling, or charged to a prepaid

telephone card.

Fax

All EF schools use fax machines to conduct busi-

ness. You can send and receive faxes from this

machine for a small fee, although you are encour-

aged to limit the use.

Internet

The school is equipped with Wi-Fi wireless Internet.

Students are highly encouraged to bring their

personal laptop computers for email and Internet

use on the wireless network. There is also a com-

puter lab that is open for classes and for checking

personal email.

10. Health Care & InsuranceWe recommend very strongly that you take out a

comprehensive travel and health insurance policy

before leaving for Costa Rica. An insurance policy

specially geared to cover you in case of illness

while away from home is available with EF.

The EF staff can recommend nearby hospitals and

doctors offices if you need medical attention. For

non-emergencies, you will need to pay immediately

in cash or by credit card for any medical service;

you will be reimbursed later by your insurance

company. If you need medical attention, please ask

the EF staff for assistance.

No specific immunisation is necessary for Costa

Rica. We do recommend the use of insect repellent

while you are here, as there have been some cases

of Dengue Fever however, there are no cases of

Malaria.Tamarindo has several pharmacies where

you can buy medicine and personal hygiene

products.

Erika Travel Insurance

Because security is EF’s number one priority, we

have negotiated a comprehensive tailor-made

travel insurance package for EF students with Erika

Travel Insurance, an international insurance expert.

The policy protects you against expenses incurred

through accident or illness, and provides coverage

for loss or theft of baggage and personal effects. It

also provides coverage against interruption of your

EF program due to illness as well as liability and

legal expenses.

The EF staff is trained to assist with your Erika

Travel Insurance questions and claims. When you

are sick or injured the last thing you want to do is

deal with such issues. Let us help you!

11. Activities & ExcursionsExtracurricular activities contribute greatly to your so-

cial and academic success. They not only help you

to relax after a day studying, they also provide you

with an opportunity to meet and make friends from

other classes, other countries and other cultures.

Your school’s activities and trips give you the op-

portunity to apply your life skills, practice Spanish in

real situations and familiarize yourself with the Costa

Rican culture.

The Activity Coordinator can help you plan your

free time by organising a variety of EF events and

excursions.

Many activities in or around the school are free,

such as sports tournaments, holiday parties,

dances, pool parties and club activities. The cost

for excursions beyond EF depend upon the time of

year and the number of students that participate.

Our schedule of activities and exact prices, as well

as cut off dates for signing up for activities, will be

posted weekly around the school.

Day Excursions

Try a new sport or practice one you already know

while seeing another side of this outdoor paradise.

Snorkelling, kayaking, surfing, quad bike riding,

and horse back riding are just a few of the sporty


day excursions we offer. If you want a little

jungle excitement, you can go for a canopy

ride and experience the tropical jungle from the

tall tree tops along a canopy cable system.

Examples

❚ The average cost for sites around Tamarindo

such as kayaking and horse back riding is $30.

❚ Longer day trips such as the national park

Rincon de la Vieja where you can enjoy

canopy rides, climbing, and tubing plus

various sporting events such as deep-sea

fishing, sailing and diving will cost about

$65 - $120.

Weekend Excursions

Group weekend excursions take you beyond

Tamarindo to see beautiful untouched nature

and for a little or a lot of adventure you can

travel to Arenal Volcano or Monte Verde rain

forest or a number of other places.

Weekend excursion examples

The costs of weekend excursions vary greatly

depending on the trip, the season, and the

number of students.

❚ A two day trip to Arenal Volcano is $210

while a two day trip to Monte Verde is $180.

❚ Costs for longer distance trips can be

discussed upon your arrival, such as trips to

Nicaragua.

All EF weekend excursions include trans-

portation, accommodation, and admission

fees. Although some trips may include some

meals, you should expect to pay for your own

meals when travelling with EF. In addition to

our programme of excursions, we are more

than happy to help individual students or small

groups plan their time and activities to make

the most of their trips to other parts of Costa

Rica or to neighbouring countries.

Please Note: Students intending to travel

outside of Costa Rica, whether on an EF ex-

cursion or independently, should obtain tourist

visas when necessary before travelling.

Social and Cultural Events

The possibilities are endless, but some

examples include: parties, barbecues, salsa

lessons, work outs at the gym, movie nights,

club activities with the staff, international days,

and holiday festivals.

Sports

Sports available are surfing, beach volleyball,

pool, tennis, football, snorkelling, swimming

and more. Plus, you are free to use any of the

athletic and games equipment available at the

EF Activities Office. Stop by the office during

opening hours or ask the RA on duty. You will

be asked to leave your ID card so we can keep

track of what you have borrowed.

At the EF school:

❚ outdoor swimming pool

❚ beach sports such as frisbee, running, beach

soccer, volleyball and surfing

❚ other activities in the area (most charge an

access fee.)

Five minutes from the school:

❚ Fitness clubs

❚ 9-hole public golf with Par 3 course and

driving range

❚ Tennis

❚ Soccer field (free)

❚ Sailing

❚ Snorkelling

❚ Scuba diving

❚ Jet-skiing (available 15 minutes from school

by taxi)

12. TransportationPublic transportation

Public bus services are also very cheap. They

run everywhere with fixed timetables but infre-

quently; sometimes they are very crowded. To

San Jose by bus, a five hour journey, the cost

is only $5.

There is a relatively cheap taxi service in Costa

Rica which is reliable and safe. The most you

will pay is around $8 to your homestay resi-

dence, 15 minutes away.

Car rentals

Some students choose to rent a car on week-

ends for private excursions. You can hire a car

very easily in Tamarindos, prices vary between

$40-$75 a day. All agencies require a valid

driver’s license, a credit card and will usually

require you to be 21 or over. EF recommends

that anyone renting a car (even for short trips)

purchase full insurance coverage. The only

person authorised to drive the car is the one

whose name is on the contract. Do not rent

cars for your friends!

Flights

The Tamarindo area is serviced by The Daniel

Oduber International Airport of Liberia, located

one hour from the school. There is also The

Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose which

serves the whole country and is five hours from

Tamarindo. The Administration Coordinator is

available to help you change a ticket pur-

chased through EF as well as to help with any

other flight arrangements.

13. ExpectationsExpectations are a normal part of a new expe-

rience. Remember that many of your expecta-

tions may have been formed by the unreal

world of TV and movies. Arrive at your course

centre with an open mind!

What you can expect from EF:

❚ Supportive staff available for guidance and

encouragement.

❚ A programme that combines language, spe-

cial interest and culture-oriented classes.

❚ A full programme of local activities and excur-


sions at special EF rates.

❚ Accommodation in a homestay.

❚ All designated meals.

❚ EF Academic Year Abroad Diploma for

Academic Year Abroad students with 80%

attendance per term and good academic

standing and academic records

❚ EF Course Certificate for International Lan-

guage Students with 80% attendance and

good academic standing.

❚ Preparation classes and/or materials for ap-

propriate standardised language exams

What EF expects of you:

❚ To develop a greater understanding of the

world around you.

❚ To attend at least 80% of all classes and to

do your best in class at all times.

❚ To be respectful of your homestay hosts,

your classmates, your teachers, and your

community.

❚ To keep your room and shared areas clean.

❚ To speak Spanish at all times.

❚ To abide by all laws, rules, and regulations of

your host country and school.

❚ As a representative of your country, com-

munity and school, the highest standards of

responsibility and behaviour are expected

What you can expect from your homestay hosts:

❚ A comfortable, clean place to live.

❚ Prepared meals or accessibility to food to

prepare yourself according to the meal plan.

❚ Access to the school in approximately one

hour by public transportation. All transporta-

tion costs are your responsibility.

14. Costa Rican culture & living tipsImmigration and visas

You will need a valid passport to enter Costa

Rica. In addition, you may need a visa depend-

ing upon the county you are from or the length

of your stay. Please check with the Costa

Rican Embassy in your country.

❚ The following countries DO NOT need a

tourist visa if the student is here for 90 days

or less: Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Kazakhstan,

Russia, Republic of Slovakia, Switzerland,

Turkey, countries within the European Union,

and USA.

❚ The following countries DO need tourist

visas which can be obtained very quickly by

contacting the Consulate or the Costa Rican

Embassy: Bosnia, Hong Kong, Indonesia,

Macedonia, Mongolia and Thailand

❚ If your country is not mentioned in the lists

above, please contact the Costa Rican

embassy or consulate in your country for

information.

Students can apply for a student visa before

their departure at their local Costa Rican

embassy. At the moment, language courses

are not valid for student status in Costa Rica,

but the filed application does allow you to stay

in the country. Students need to present a

Birth certificate and a Delinquency certificate,

among other things, to the embassy. Students

will also have to present themselves at the

Costa Rican Immigration office in San José

every three months.

Students staying more than 90 days may also

participate in the school’s trips to Nicaragua,

Colombia or Panama every three months in

order to get a new visa. These very popular

trips are normally over three days in length and

cost approximately $200.

Alcohol

The legal age for drinking in Costa Rica is

18. No alcohol is allowed on the EF campus

including the residence, regardless of age.

Smoking

Smoking is considered more and more a

health hazard to those who smoke and those

around them. Smoking is not allowed inside

the EF buildings or in most homestays.

Appliances

Electric outlets in Costa Rica provide a current

at 110 volts. This is the same as in North and

South America. Since many other countries

operate with a voltage of 220 (Europe for

example), you might need an transformer to

operate non-American appliances. You might

also need an adaptor to change the shape of

the plug which is either two flat prongs or three

prongs for large appliances.

Tipping

There is a service charge of 10% included in

most restaurants bills. People who work in the

hospitality industry in Costa Rica rely on tips

from foreigners more so than in many other

countries. You are therefore expected to add

an additional $2 or $3 in restaurants and up to

between $5 and $10 for a tour.

Sales Tax

Expect to pay 13% sales tax on your pur-

chases which is normally already included in

the price in most stores but not in restaurants.

Recommended reading

❚ Lonely Planet Costa Rica – Great student

travel guide for where to go, how to get

around, where to stay and what to eat.

❚ Frommer’s Costa Rica 2005 Elliot Greenspan

(Frommers) – Great travel guide for where to

go, how to get around and where to stay.

❚ Culture Shock! Costa Rica by Clare Waller-

stein (Graphic Arts Centre Pub) – Information

on Costa Rican character and culture.

15. Adjusting to a New Culture The EF community is more than a group of

students who have come together to learn

Spanish. It is also a multi-cultural group of

young adults who are eager to share their

own culture and learn the culture of their host

country and fellow classmates.

One’s culture is made up of values, beliefs, arts,

traditions and practices of a specific community

or population. Our culture affects how we view

ourselves, how we relate to others and what we

value as important in life. We are often unaware

of how much our culture affects our lives.

You may have already had some exposure to

the new culture you are about to experience.

You may have seen television shows, read

books, or studied in school about Costa Rica.

While some parts of this culture may already

seem familiar to you, experiencing a new

culture first-hand will prove exciting. You will be

meeting students from all over the world who,

like you, are looking forward to spending a year

learning and living a language, both inside and

outside the classroom.

As a visitor to a new culture, you may experience

periods of fatigue and discomfort when you are

uncomfortable. Culture shock is what some-

times happens when we try to meet challenges

of our new culture by using the values, beliefs,

and attitudes of our own culture. As visitors to

a new culture, we must learn that cultural differ-


ences are merely different - not right or wrong.

It is a good idea to bring traditional objects from

your culture to share with other students and

your host to teach them about your country.

Tips on coping with change

Remember that change does not come with-

out some effort! We humans need a certain

amount of stress to motivate us to learn new

ways of being. Learning always involves some

form of change. You should try the following:

❚ While you might be tempted to surround

yourself with things that are familiar to you, try

not to isolate yourself by being only with others

from your home country. Keep reaching out to

your host, roommates and other students.

❚ Put off making major decisions such as an

accommodation change, until you feel more

“at home” with the culture in general.

❚ Talk to us about your worries or problems.

EF Staff are here to help and would prefer to

know about any problem you may have so

that we can help you.

❚ Set goals, no matter how big or small, and

accomplish them! You will feel good about

yourself in doing so, and you will reduce the

negative feelings associated with culture

shock. For example, set a goal that you will

speak Spanish at all times.

❚ Remind yourself that you came to this

country to experience a new culture, to meet

others and to explore your new surroundings.

Relax, take a deep breath and reflect back on

the days before leaving your home country

when you were excited about your new ad-

venture. Try to refocus this former excitement

towards your experience.

Keeping a journal

One way to keep track of emotions and

changes that take place over the year is to

keep a journal. By recording your experiences

and feelings on a regular basis, you will be able

to reduce the impact of culture shock. You will

have a record of your academic and personal

progress to look back on in days and years to

come. Be sure to note changes in:

❚ Language skills

❚ School performance and involvement

❚ Campus/host adjustment

❚ Individual learning and growth

Keeping a journal will help to remind you that

culture shock is truly a temporary phase

of adjustment.

Bring pictures and items from home

If you have room in your suitcases for some

music, a costume, pictures, or some typi-

cal crafts, it would be good to show other

students, as well as to decorate your room

to make it seem like home. We have seen

costumes and drums from Korea, music from

Austria and traditional dress from France.

Please bring pictures of your friends, family

and surrounding area.

Important telephone numbers

16. EF School CalendarAcademic Year Schedule

The Academic Year is divided into three terms.

(See the applicable start date below for your

program’s specific term and break schedule).

January 2012

Academic Year and Semester Program

Orientation: Fri 6 Jan - Sun 8 Jan

Term 1: Mon 9 Jan - Fri 9 Mar

Holiday: Sat 10 Mar - Sun 25 Mar

Term 2: Mon 26 Mar - Fri 1 Jun

Semester Departure: 2 Jun 2012

Holiday: Sat 2 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 3: (Year) Mon 11 Jun - Fri 17 Aug

Departure: 18 Aug 2012

April 2012


Orientation: Fri 13 Apr - Sun 15 Apr

Term 1: Mon 16 Apr - Fri 1 Jun


Term 2: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Semester Departure: 8 Sep 2012

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 3: (Year) Mon 24 Sep - Fri 30 Nov

Departure: 1 Dec 2012

June 2012


Orientation: Fri 8 Jun - Sun 10 Jun

Term 1: Mon 11 Jun - Fri 7 Sep

Holiday: Sat 8 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 2: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Semester Departure: 17 Nov 2012

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan

Term 3: (Year) Mon 7 Jan - Fri 8 Feb

Departure: 9 Feb 2013

September 2012


Orientation: Fri 21 Sep - Sun 23 Sep

Term 1: Mon 24 Sep - Fri 14 Dec

Holiday: Sat 15 Dec - Sun 6 Jan


Semester Departure: 9 Mar 2013


Term 3: (Year) Mon 25 Mar - Fri 31 May

Departure: 1 June 2013

January 2013


Orientation: Fri 4 Jan - Sun 6 Jan



Term 2: Mon 25 Mar - Fri 7 Jun

Semester Departure: 8 Jun 2013


Term 3: (Year) Mon 17 Jun - Fri 16 Aug

Departure: 17 Aug 2013

Please note: there will be no classes on

public holidays.

School holidays

EF International Language Center in Costa

Rica recognizes the following public holidays

when there will be no classes. If your arrival

falls on one of these dates, please check with

the school staff upon your arrival for an exact

orientation schedule.

2012

1 January – New Year’s Day

5 & 6 April – Easter

11 April – Juan Santamaría Day

1 May – Labor Day

25 July – Guanacaste Day

15 August – Mother’s Day

15 September – Independence Day

25 December – Christmas Day

2013

1 January – New Year’s Day

28 & 29 April – Easter

11 April – Juan Santamaría Day

1 May – Labor Day

25 July – Guanacaste Day

15 August – Mother’s Day

15 September – Independence Day

25 December – Christmas Day

17. Checklist ■ Valid passport (with visa where neces-

sary) It’s a good idea to make copies of

these and pack them in your suitcase

just in case. You don’t need to carry your

passport with you while you are in Costa

Rica but you must keep it and your other

documents in a safe place while you are in

the country.

■ Passport Photos (4) for EF student

identification cards, travel cards and other

possible documents

■ Flight ticket

■ Luggage correctly labeled

■ EF Confirmation letter & other

EF documents

■ Make sure all EF forms are complete,

especially the Health Certificate

■ Medical and travel insurance documents

■ Basic medical supplies, any medication

you take regularly and a spare pair of con-

tact lenses or glasses if you wear them.

■ An International Driving License if you are

planning on renting a car.

■ Local currency for first week and for any

learning materials that are not included in

the cost of the course.

■ Money in the form of an ATM card

(Automatic Transaction Card), credit cards

and/or traveler’s checks (Do NOT bring

large amounts of cash in any currency!).

■ Electric adaptor for any electrical appli-

ances you plan to bring with you.

■ Pencil and/or pen and notebook.

■ Items from your hometown or country so you can share your culture with friends, homestay hosts and teachers.

■ Personal sports equipment.

■ Favorite books, photos and a camera.

■ Homestay or student residence details and emergency numbers.

Homestay host’s or student residence name:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence address:

________________________________________

Homestay host’s or student residence telephone number(s):

________________________________________

EF Sales Office telephone number:

________________________________________

EF School telephone number:

+(506) 2 653 2095________________________________________

EF School emergency telephone number:

+506 8337 3531________________________________________

Documents

Predeparture Playa Tamarindo AYA 2012