Job Discussion Forums

utahguy · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

I have nine years teaching experience, a Masters, TESOL certification, speak Spanish fluently, and two years living (and teaching EFL) in two other countries: Chile (one year) and Korea (one year). For the past six years, I have taught at a small community college in the States. So if I come to CR to teach, I bring a lot of experience and a strong resume.

The problem is my police report. A few years ago I got a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and this shows up on the report. It's a misdemeanor offense and is the only blotch I have on an otherwise perfect record. I know that most people work on tourist visas in CR and I'm willing to do that. But if I wanted to apply for a work visa at some point, would this DUI work against me? Any feedback you can give me would be appreciated.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I know for a fact that in South Africa and Norway any item on a police report is an issue. What kind of issue, I don't know - it might be that you will have no problems. Costa Rica is very relaxed when it comes to gringo immigration. The long and short of it is that I know what it's like in two countries (and it would hella sure be a problem if you tried getting a work permit in the US), but not in Costa Rica...

Helpful.

:)

Michael Kennedy · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 31

Drunk driving in Costa Rica is like a traffic ticket. If you talk to any Tico about drunk driving up in the states in Spanish and they will laugh. They don't see drunk driving as a serious crime in Costa Rica and think it is a crime to punish people for it. I know it's a horrible thing to say, but that really is the attitude don't there and I tend to agree. Any school that looks at a DUI and would not hire you I would not work at any way.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

My impression is that drunk driving is relatively serious in Costa Rica, but I'm not really all that familiar with a lot of Ticos, so...

utahguy · Joined: 03 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks for your feedback on my original post. I'm personally very ashamed of my DUI, even though it was a non-aggravated charge (one point over the .08 limit). What I wonder is if it will automatically disqualify me from obtaining a work visa/permit, since it does appear on my police report as an "arrest."

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I don't think anybody knows for sure, here, mate. Try calling the CR embassy in the US?