Volunteering in Costa Rica with the Peace Corps starting in 1 week - any last minute advice?

Question

I'm going to be doing small business development projects with either ecotourism or farmers coops and I am leaving in 7 days. I am American, studied international business and spanish in college and I speak Spanish as well. Anyone have any experience working with non-profits in Costa Rica? Also, anyone want to give me any info they feel is important about the culture and people of Costa Rica? Any current or Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from any country are welcome to answer as well. Thanks!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, I don't know much about Costa Rica. But my term of service ended in December of 2005 in Tanzania, East Africa -- that's a whole different world!

I hope you know about the airport security. Especially in America, you will find that they have very strict regulations. Put anything remotely dangerous -- like nail files or scissors -- in your checked baggage. If it's in your carry-on bag, they will just put it in the trash. You and your carry-on bag will be searched thoroughly, especially because you are travelling one-way. To make it easier all around, wear shoes that you can take off and put on quickly. Believe me, it will make a huge difference! They ran a wand even over my feet, but all of the metal detectors now require you remove your shoes -- and too many travellers regret wearing lace-up boots.

Beyond the warnings about going through the airport, I would say that the most useful thing I brought with me was a solar-powered battery charger. You will be surprised just how much you can find in the towns, like radios and walkmans. My area didn't have anything in the way of CDs, but it's only a matter of time. There also may be Internet access available, but don't depend on it. Even where it's available, it depends on electricity or a generator, it depends on the day everyone decides to be in town, etc.

Oh, and don't expect everyone to know Spanish over there either! There's a really good chance that you'll find tribal languages among the people you become acquainted with. I know I did! I had to learn Swahili in training, and then I found myself using Kigogo in the village area! Be prepared to learn new vocabulary in a local language, and new vocabulary/slang in Spanish -- you'll need it!

Okay, checked the website and it says they have strong technology... So you might be able to plan on email and cell phone service!

I can't think of anything else at the moment, but if you want to ask about things just let me know! Good luck and I hope you find someone who knows your country!


Considering your third answerer:
Okay, you now have information from someone who has experienced that country you can visit. Given the difference described, I would say that you may disregard much of what I wrote! It's difficult to remember just how much variety there is between the countries, but sounds like you have been chosen for a good and progressive country. Congratulations and good luck in your service!

Answer 2

These are all things I did or wish I had done 30 years ago, when I went to Malaysia.

You probably won't be eating a lot of crisp raw fruit or vegetables, so brushing your teeth is going to be important. Get a couple of soft-bristled tooth brushes here; many 3rd-world countries prize durability more than they should when it comes to toothbrushes.

When you get there, see if the stationary stores have plain, unstamped aerogrammes. Buy a variety of stamps - different denominations. Use them in combination when you write / type home. Your elderly relatives in particular may leave them lying around the house so they can brag about you. Arogrammes are cheap and give you a nice limit on how much to write. They are a lot more dramatic than e-mail, especially if you have four different stamps on them, each with a different bird.

Learn the local proper word and local slang for the private parts and the sex acts. It will keep you from making an embarassing slip. "Pokey" means slow in English but a lady's private part in Malay, for instance.

When you come back, change as much of your CR money for US dollars there; the exchange rate here will be dismal, since the demand is small.

Spend a day taking pictures (slides would be good, but no one has a slide projector any more) of ordinary things; a grocery store, your house, your street, your family, a shoe store, an 8-lane highway jammed with commuters (if possible.) They will show the HCN's that, while our meat comes wrapped in plastic, not everyone in the USA lives in a 14-room mansion on a beach next door to Loni Anderson. The ideal collection would be about half ordinary things and half things that people there may have heard of.

Answer 3

Hi Porter,

I have vast experience working with development projects in Latin America, although none directly with the Corps.

Without disrespecting the two other people that provided answers, please let me assure you that their experience contrasts greatly with what you will experience in Costa Rica. First of all, feel free to leave home your solar battery charger - Costa Rica boasts one of the highest electric power penetrations in the world. Unless you plan to trek deep into the mountains you will have ready access to the grid and to commercial batteries. You may want to bring your battery charger, but make it a regular one. Also, don´t worry about learning a tribal language unless you plan to go deep into the mountains indeed!

Costa Rica has very high levels of literacy and because tourism is the country's biggest industry, many people speak English. Of course, you know this because you may end up working with small and medium businesses in that sector.

You will also be able to drink the water - most of our clients do without any incidents.

The biggest shocks, in my opinion, will be driving around (we are not know to be the most courteous drivers) and bureaucracy. Even if you end up working with the private sector (profit or non-profit) you will encounter that either inside those organizations or when dealing with public sector counterparts.

My suggestion is to take a big breath and go with the flow.

Good luck,

Carlos
www.lava-tours.com

Answer 4

Avoid undeveloped areas unless you're with someone who knows those areas. I taught jungle warfare and survival at the Jungle Warefare Training Center in Panama. Believe me, nature is not quite the same in that part of the world. Protect yourself against mosquitos and the BotFly larvae, Yellow Fever and Malaria they may carry. Always shake out your shoes before putting them on. Scorpions like to crawl into shoes during the night. Avoid tiny, brightly colored frogs. They secrete the most lethal poison known to man.

It is inadvisable to make a conspicuous display of wealth. Remember that the average annual income in Costa Rica is probably not as high as anyone there is happy with. So, don't do anything to make yourself a target. Lap tops, cell phones and GPS devices should be used cautiously.

Pay careful attention to the State Department briefing before you leave.

Otherwise, enjoy your visit and good luck. You will learn to live
within the rules of a different nature.