Living and Working in Costa Rica

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Living and Workingin Costa Rica
Pura Vida!

• Deborah Copeman
• LIBR 500
• cakewalk_at_mac.com

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It was May 1994
After getting tapped on the head by the
university chancellor, I wasnt sure what to do
next
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Volunteering overseas seemed like an interesting
adventure

• I applied for and was accepted into Canadian
  Crossroads International (CCI)
• I was going to live and work in a community in
  one of 22 partner countries worldwide!

For more info on CCI, click on the logo!
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First, a year of intensive preparation

• Fundraising events
• Development education sessions
• Workshops on cross-cultural communication,
  culture shock, and health

The 1995 Vancouver CCI Team!
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Finally, in September 1995, four other Canadians
and I were on our way to San Jose, Costa Rica

• Sí, yo hablo español un poquito

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After a little acclimatization time, we moved to
our host families and work placements

• The Costa Rican committee and Canadian
  participants at local orientation
• workshops in Cerro Alto.

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My first placement was at Radio for Peace
International (RFPI)

• Researching and writing news briefs
• Recording them (with fellow volunteer Kevin)
• Editing pre-recorded programs

For program info click on the logo!
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After five weeks, I began teaching English at an
elementary school
Escuela Maria Montealegre, Tres Rios
(yes, its right on a highway)
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Instructing the children was challenging and
rewarding
The kindergarteners were sweet and playful.

• The grade twos loved learning English action
  songs.

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Dealing with classes of up to 40 children, my
Spanish improved a lot!
On a field trip with the grade sixes at Irazu
Volcano.

• In the staff room with some of the teachers.

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But even an idealistic volunteer cant work all
the time
Click here for info on national parks

• Yes, dear reader
• I went to the beach!

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National Sites I visited in Costa Rica

• Historic Sites
• Monumento Nacional Guayabo
• National Parks
• Parque Manuel Antonio
• Parque Nacional Cahuita
• Parque Nacional Guanacaste
• Volcanoes
• Volcán Arenal
• Volcán Irazú

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My host family warmly and generously made me a
part of their lives
Celebrating Christmas Eve with my host family
Making tamales, a traditional Christmas dish
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At the end of four months, I said a sad goodbye
to new friends and family

• I returned to an unusually cold and snowy
  Vancouver
• Reverse culture shock hits harder in February!

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However, I was reunited with Costa Rican friends
later that year!

• Ale, Jose Luis, Luis Carlos and Elizabeth (from
  Ecuador) visited after volunteering with CCI in
  Canada.

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This experience has had far-reaching effects on
my life!
I continue to support CCIs goals to work in
partnership to raise global awareness and to
actively promote a sustainable and equitable
world.