Job Discussion Forums

NicoleSau · Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Posts: 4

Hello fellow esl teachers...

my name is Nicole and right now I'm working in a little town called Guapiles. I'm enjoying my Costa Rica experience very much, but I'm lacking in connections with other people close in age and with common interests. Guapiles is a small, rainy town about an hour and a half from san jose. it is isolated, and has very little night life. im having difficulty making friends here, and would really love to touch base with other teachers in the country. id appreciate any reply. hopefully ill be talking to some of you soon!

Mike Jones · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 5

Hey Nicole,
I'm not in Costa Rica right now, but I have a few questions. I taught in San Jose for a little while and if I return to CR I'd like to teach in the country. What school are you teaching at in Guapiles and do they hire throughout the year?
I was in a similar situation when I was living in Ciudad Colon (40 minutes from San Jose, small town). I enjoyed living by myself, but eventually it got a little lonely. I ended up looking on craigslist and moved into a house with fellow English teachers and a Costa Rican. I don't know what your living situation is now or if there is much of an ex-pat population in Guapiles, but it might be worth a try to look online or in the local grocery stores.
Best of luck with everything.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

If you want to take the trip to San Jose for a weekend I'll be happy to have a drink with you. Can't do much more than that, unfortunately, but Mike's post makes a lot of sense.

treasurechess · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: making connections

Hello- I would try for connections on the basis on interests rather than age. I like chess and bridge and found a chess tournament and a great bridge club in San Jose where I meet other people and can play on Fridays and Saturday.
If you are into tours, send me a pm and I will keep in touch as I run tours in the Sarapiqui region-not far from Guapiles. You might visit Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, on the bus line from Guapiles, and the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center there. They have volunteer English teachers and you might make some friends or even offer your services in the future. I was an English teacher volunteer there for 6 months last year.
If your school is looking for English teachers, please let me know.