Entering a new country for the first time is always a bit nerve-racking. But in Costa Rica, their “Pura Vida” lifestyle immediately welcomes you to their beautiful country. In my 10 days in Costa Rica, I received a crash course on how life works in San Jose. Firstly, Tico Time is real. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Tico/a(s), Tico time is a way to describe when it is acceptable to arrive at events and so on. For Costa Ricans, arriving on time means arriving late. For example, if a party says it will start at 6 p.m., an acceptable time to come is 6:45–7 p.m. This concept was a bit of a shock to me, as I am a very punctual person, but it is important to understand as a visitor. This concept can also be applied to public transportation. When we first arrived, our hosts told us that buses do not have a set schedule and will show up when they get there.

Another major difference in Costa Rica is the plumbing system. Because their plumbing is old, flushing toilet paper is not allowed, as it can cause clogs and more disruptive issues. For the first couple of days, that was a big change for all of us. In more touristy spots, they did have signs in every bathroom reminding us to throw away our paper, which was helpful. Traveling abroad means immersing yourself in the culture, food and language. But, speaking a language you are not confident in can be scary. Moreover, especially with a language like Spanish, there are a variety of dialects and phrases/words that are used differently depending on the country. Where I grew up, many of the Spanish speakers were from Mexico or Puerto Rico. Saying “you’re welcome” was “de nada”. But in Costa Rica, they say “con mucho gusto” which translates to “my pleasure.” This small change in responses shows respect and is much appreciated. Speaking Spanish in Costa Rica was a bit scary, but from my experience, as long as effort was shown, those around you would lend a hand, or try their best to signify what they were trying to communicate. It is also okay to use a translator if needed. No one is perfect, but it is important to be gracious, slow down and be respectful. These things are crucial to Costa Ricans and doing so will set you up for success on your great adventure!

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Public and Community Health: Nursing in Costa Rica