Job Discussion Forums

[nesec]

So I will be arriving in 28 days. I�ve read just about everything in this forum and I�ve come up with a list of less frequently asked questions, questions that haven�t been asked yet and questions I hope will clarify contradicting posts I�ve read.

Thanks to everyone who posts in this forum for all the information - it�s been of tremendous use to me. Anyways, here it is! I hope this list isn�t too daunting�

1. Shipping: I�ve read that it is difficult to have packages shipped to you from outside the country. Is this true in general and even with small packages? Could anyone expound? Obviously, I can�t bring much with me on the plane but once I get settled in, there are a few things I�d like to have shipped to me.

2. Rx: Does one need a prescription to obtain medications? If yes, is it difficult to obtain one? Also, regarding restricted medications (e.g. sedatives, narcotics), are they easily obtainable? I�ve been taking Klonopin for years, and yes, I�m more-or-less addicted to it.

3. People: I�ve read that Ticos (Ticans?) can be a little cold to Gringos. I really think this is just one or two persons� experiences. But thought I�d ask about it anyways.

4. Clothing on the job: Here in the States I�m expected to be dressed in relatively formal clothing while teaching. What�s the general dress code for teaching at your typical school? I plan to bring some formal clothing but I don�t want to pack a large amount of clothing I won�t need.

5. Cell phone: I�ve read that if you�re not a citizen of CR, you need to have a citizen sign up under his/her name in order to get a cell phone down there. Is this true?

6. Banking: I�ve read that in order to open an account there you need a reference from your bank back at home. In a contradicting thread, I read that all you need are two forms of ID and you�re set. ? (Basically, do I need to bring a 'reference' with me?)

7. Plugs: Same as in the U.S.?

I hope any of you could help me out by replying to any of these questions. If there�s anything else that is worth mentioning, please throw it in, too (personal experiences, things you hadn't thought of but were hit with after arrival). I�ve traveled quite a bit and have a notion of what to expect but the more information I can collect now, the better.

Thanks!

[RachelATejas]

As far as plugs go (I'm guessing you mean electrical outlets?), I'm pretty sure they are all the same. I had no trouble during the two months I traveled around CR, and I was in some pretty ancient hotels, apartments, etc.

And Ticos.... with my experience, they were great. Some of the women were kinda rude, but not to where it bothered me. Generally they are wonderfully friendly people, and that is why I have decided to move there! Good luck, pura vida!

[cartago]

1. Shipping is really hit or miss, some people get their stuff right away, sometimes it can get stuck in customs. It's better to have someone ship it to you with a service that lets you track it. It's worth whatever extra cost.

2. Don't know anything about that, sorry.

3. I've never experienced this myself. The only thing I've heard is some gringas complaining about how some ticas can be a little rude with them because they're jealous about the attention foreign women get from ticos, but that's just anecdotal.

I've found a lot of times in customer service people tend to not be as helpful as they are back at home (usa), but lots of exceptions. Service can be pretty slow, especially in restaurants.

4. At my school I wear dress pants (no jeans) and a button down shirt tucked in, but no tie. I wear sort of formal looking boots but they're not really nice shoes. So, I would say slightly formal, but casual.

5. You have to be a resident, unfortunately there is only one phone company in all of costa rica (ICE), and people wait forever to get a line. However, you can get a cellphone in someone else's name, it's not too hard to do. Just ask around.

6. I don't think you need a reference from your bank at home but you do need some kind of letter from your employer in CR. On the other hand, it's easy to cash checks at the bank which issues the check, that's how I did it. I just used cash all the time.

7. They're the same.

That's all I can think of now, let me know if you have any more questions.

[nesec]

Thanks cartago

Guess I'll pack all my dress clothes in that case - it's just as well since I only bought them for teaching.

I've thought about closing my account here and arriving with a bundle of cash stuffed away in my suitcase but the idea worries me a bit. I'll probably leave it open until I have everything worked out. Anyways, thanks for the info there and the tip about cashing your checks from the issuing bank. From what I've read it seems like you can pay most all your bills in cash, which is good for me as I'm notoriously bad at balancing my checkbook Probably the longer I can avoid having an account, the better!

I'm currently working on finding a homestay down there and if that turns out I'm sure I could get the people I'm staying with to sign me up for a cellphone. Seems a little strange that you can't sign up for your own cell without being a citizen but I'm sure I'll get over it

I can't really think of anything else at the moment but I appreciate the offer. I imagine I'll figure things out real quick in about a month!

Cheers

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Anyone know about the pharmacies?