Getting There: Packing and Traveling Info.


 This post is dedicated to general information about the traveling process and what it was like to arrive in Costa Rica. I have included tips throughout that should help prepare you for your journey. 

    Be sure to pack light. For me, the hardest factor while packing was the weight of my suitcase. The airline required that checked bags be 50 pounds or less and carry-ons be 20 pounds or less. While 70 pounds total might sound like a lot, it goes by quickly when you're packing for three months. I suggest packing only the things you use on a daily basis, and keep in mind that you can buy some things, like certain toiletries, after you arrive in Costa Rica.

    Find a reliable and fairly-priced airline. I chose to use American Airlines, which worked out fairly well. Due to the pandemic, I did not have very many options since only a handful of airlines had available flights from Phoenix to San José on the available dates. Before going through customs, you'll have to have proof of a plane ticket, bus stub, or other way that you plan to leave Costa Rica. This is because you will likely be on a traveler's visa, which expires in 90 days, so you will need documentation that you plan to leave the country within that timeframe. For me, I purchased a round-trip plane ticket, which worked without any issues. 

    Don't stress about what happens after you arrive. An NAU staff member will pick you up from the airport and drive you to the place where you will be staying. There will probably be people trying to offer you taxi rides or rental cars in the airport, but a friendly "no gracias" will do the trick. Once you meet up with the NAU staff member, who will be in NAU attire with a sign, you can relax. I remember that I was full of nerves and excitement, but I was also exhausted. That first night consisted of greetings, a late dinner, and going straight to bed. I guarantee that you'll probably be very tired upon arrival, and that's to be expected. Rest up and leave exploring for the next day! 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Native Fruits of Costa Rica

Image
While Costa Rica may not seem that far away from the United States, the food can be radically different here. Costa Rica has the most biodiversity in the entire world, which makes for some incredible new foods! For example, the fruit here in Costa Rica are often unrecognizable to tourists because they are so unique. Below are 12 colorful, Costa Rican fruits that we bought from a local farmer's market in Santa Ana. 1. Caimito : Also known as "the Star Apple," this purple fruit resembles a plum or fig. However, it tastes quite dry and sour. It has large, black seeds in the center that should not be consumed. Some varieties come in a shade of green and white and often taste slightly more sweet.  2. Carambola : This fruit is also known as Starfruit, due to its star-like shape when sliced. It is also one of the most colorful fruits due to its bright orange hue. Carambolas become more yellow and sweet as they ripen, making them perfect for a fresco, salad, or jam.  3. Tomate de
Read more

Classes and Homework

Image
 " But how exactly do the classes work while abroad? " -almost every student who has ever considered studying abroad Yes, the "study" portion of "study abroad" is important. After all, as much as it may feel like vacation, this  is still college. Below I'll explain how our classes and homework are here in Costa Rica.  Classes: where, when, and how     As I have mentioned in other posts, some things have changed for this semester due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including classes. While students usually live with host families and attend in-person classes at Universidad Fidélitas in San José, we are living together at a finca (see my post "Your New Home: A Tour of the Finca" for more about where we are living) and our classes are right here on the patio! In order to decrease the risks associated with Covid-19, we have all of our classes together here at ABC de la Vida in Ciudad Colón.      For our first six weeks, a professor from Universidad Fid
Read more

Pre-Travel: What You Need to Know

Image
So you're planning on studying abroad through NAU? Congrats! There's obviously some things you'll need to do before you arrive. Below is a detailed list of the steps I took before traveling to Costa Rica. Keep in mind that this list might need to be adapted to meet your unique needs.  Before Traveling, ... 1. Apply for Study Abroad through  Education Abroad Programs | Education Abroad (nau.edu) .* You will be notified via email when your application has been approved/denied. This review process could take between one day and three months depending on the program. For me, I was approved about five days later.  *Note: You will need you passport number to apply, so be sure to renew or apply for a passport first if you do not already have one. For more information about passports, visit  Passport office | Center for International Education (nau.edu) .  2. Apply for scholarships through  Scholarships | Education Abroad (nau.edu)  and/or other scholarship websites. 3. Meet with
Read more