Here are some general rules, tips and expectations to help you become accustomed to your new home!
In Costa Rica, students reside in homestays with local Costa Rican families. The homestays are within a 15-minute walk from the University, and are in close proximity to each other. There is also a shuttle that runs approximately every hour between the homestay areas and the University.
The homestay families are used to hosting international students and foreigners who don’t speak much Spanish. However, don’t expect them to know English; this is your opportunity to improve your Spanish!
Most homestay families host two students at a time. In some cases, there will be only one student or up to three students total, but two students is the norm. You will have your own room, but might have to share a bathroom.
Linens and a towel are provided, as are two meals a day, weekly laundry and WiFi. Please know that WiFi is a bit slower in Costa Rica and can disconnect for hours at a time.
While there is no curfew for this program, please keep in mind that you are living with a family and should treat them as an extension of your own family. Things like letting them know you are going away for the weekend or will be missing a meal go a long way to becoming part of the family. Overnight guests are not allowed, and each individual homestay might have additional rules you have to follow.
Please read the Code of Conduct in the CISabroad Policy Handbook for more information on homestay rules.
Homestay information will not go out to students until 1-2 weeks before the program starts.
Helpful tips for living with other people:
- Respect your hosts and the other people that live in the building.
- Remember that you are not on a college campus and not in your own home. Please respect the homestay owner’s property.
- Talk to your roommates if there is an issue. Talking it through is the easiest way to solve a small problem before it gets bigger.
- Talk to the staff if a problem arises and you cannot work it out with your roommates.