www.costaricatesol.com - ITA Costa Rica
Posted 06/04/2018

Costa Rica Teaching Q&A with Dadrion

Costa Rica Teaching Q&A with Dadrion

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

What is your citizenship? U.S. American

What city and state are you from? I'm from Laplace, Louisiana.

How old are you? I'm 26 years old.

What is your education level and background? I have my bachelor's degree in Communications and Foreign Languages.

Have you traveled abroad in the past? Yes, I've been to China, Mexico, The Netherlands, Qatar and Dubai.

If you have studied abroad in the past, where did you study? I studied in China.

What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad? It provided an alternative route for education and income.

What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching abroad? My family was super supportive of my decision. 

TEFL CLASS INFORMATION

Why did you decide to get TEFL certified and choose International TEFL Academy? I chose to get my TEFL certification because it’s kind of like having a career passport. One certification unlocks the doors to so many places, languages and cultures. I chose the TEFL Academy because it was the most reliable and helpful during the prospecting process. 

Which TEFL certification course did you take? I took the course in Heredia, Costa Rica in June, 2017.

How did you like the course? The course was amazing and since I came to Costa Rica alone, it was also kind of comforting to meet new faces that shared parts of the same culture as me.

How has your TEFL training helped you in your current teaching position?  The training really set me up for success. Half the battle of teaching was building the rapport and practicing personality management in the class. The practice hours during the course were the perfect sample environments for building and mastering both of those points.

 

TEACHING ABROAD IN COSTA RICA

Which city did you decide to teach English in and why? I chose to teach in Heredia, because that’s where I found the most job resources.

How long have you been in this country and how long do you plan to stay? I've been in this country for a little more than a year and I'll be returning to the U.S. in July 2018.

What school, company, or program are you working for? I work with Intercultura in Heredia.

Do you have a work visa? No.

If not, please elaborate on working without a work visa. Well, had I known that I would fall in love with this beautiful country and extended my stay from 1 month to 1 year, I would've definitely applied for a work visa. Border runs are pretty easy to do and they're awesome ways to get some extra travel in around Latin America, but around border run number 4 or 5, it can start to be a little more taxing.

How did you find somewhere to live and what is it like? My roommate and I met during the TEFL course, so we would research the various websites in English and Spanish for affordable housing. Honestly, the housing was one of the easiest things for me to find. I remember being more concerned about my job interview than finding a place. And both of those things worked out perfectly.


COSTA RICA

Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food, expat community, dating scene, and travel opportunities in your country: So the culture is super welcoming and rich. Everyday won’t feel like a holiday, and every person may not have the pura vida outlook, but that’s simply because people are human. I absolutely love the public transportation system. There are still many people that don't drive cars so the system is super accommodating as far as the distance you can travel. To go from the northern most point of the country to the southern most point is less than 2 gallons of gas.

What are your monthly expenses? Total cost of our fully furnished, all included (with wifi) 2 bed 2 bathroom apartment is $650, which is split with my roommate.

How would you describe your standard of living? Modest! I live in a tico community.  I shop at their fresh markets.  I use their bus systems and hear the roosters crowing at 5 am like everyone else. I have no stainless steel appliances or “modern” utilities and I love it.

In your opinion, how much does someone need to earn in order to live comfortably? To live comfortably your monthly income shouldn’t be any less than 300-400,000 colones (roughly 600-800USD).

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS IN COSTA RICA

What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Don't travel abroad expecting to live like everything is one big vacation. You'll go broke fast! The second you bought your passport, you made the conscious decision to experience the world as it is. Your passport is a symbol of tolerance and being open to accept the things that make us different and bring us together in the world. Keep your judgments at home.

 Would you recommend teaching in your country? Absolutely!

Contact us with us today to save your seat in one of our 4-week TEFL courses in Costa Rica!



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