Teaching math at an international school in San Jose, Costa Rica is what American expat Jenny is currently doing. Although she has many great things to say about living in Costa Rica, including the nice people and the beauty of the country, she hopes to experience teaching in another place that's "further off the beaten path."	Jenny Abrams

October 08 2006

-Where were you born?
Texas, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
San Jose, Costa Rica

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Alone for now - my boyfriend is joining me next week.

-How long have you been living in Costa Rica?
A little over a year.

-What is your age?
30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Costa Rica?
Well, I have always been sort of an outcast, never really fitting in anywhere, always feeling like I wasn’t in the right place or on the right path. I became privy to these international schools that continually recruit American teachers. For me, teaching math, working on math problems all day, is fun. Being that math teachers are needed all over the world, I decided not to restrict myself to the US. I was thrilled to find a way to combine work and travel. I would have gone anywhere, but as it turned out, this school here in Costa Rica was the first to offer me a job.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No. It was simple as my school took care of everything.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No, not at all. Again, my school took care of everything.

-How do you make your living in Costa Rica? Do you have any type of income generated?
I work here at an international school as a high school math teacher. I was hired through an agency in the US that matches teachers up with positions in international schools all over the world. I had the job before arriving. My school did everything for me, from flying me down to helping me find a place to live. They made things very comfortable for me. As a certified math teacher, it was not hard to get a job. There was an opening at the time I was searching.

-Do you speak Spanish and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
Yes, I speak Spanish. I think it’s always important to speak the local language, or at least try. It seems respectful to do. However, being that a good number of Americans live here, there seems to be less observance of local custom and more of an expectation that the locals observe the in-coming customs.

Additionally, Costa Rica is highly influenced by American culture and business, so it’s not too different and it does not take too much to adapt here. There are slight differences that take some getting used to such as electricity failures (never for too long), pollution (excessive trash on streets, cars, etc.), and other typical inefficiencies. The people generally are nice and helpful, but I have been discouraged by the treatment I have received by men, as I am a female here alone, so I seem to be an easy target for cat calls and unwanted touches and grabs.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I don’t miss home at all, but I really don’t have a home. My family is scattered. I am not at all ready to return to the US, but I am ready to experience a more different country, something a bit more isolated from the US.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
In my last year here, my plans are to travel to areas of the country not yet seen, and to explore some areas in South America as well. All the while, I am back with my recruiting agency in hopes of finding another position somewhere a bit further off the beaten path.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Right now, I am renting a one-bedroom apartment for $300 per month. I am moving to a larger two-story apartment and will be paying around $450 per month.

Generally, one month’s rent is required as a deposit.

-What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
The cost of living is only slightly lower than the US. Some things are less expensive, some are more expensive. I don’t find a difference in food at grocery stores, but it is much less expensive to eat out. Transport without a car (taxi or bus) is reliable and cheap. Utilities such as electricity and phone usually cost me no more than $10 per month. Cable internet service is around $60.

-What do you think about the Costa Rican people?
I find the locals generally nice and helpful in most situations. I could easily pass as a local so I don’t find myself being treated like a foreigner. The locals are generally happy people who value family and community. For instance, people where I live have known each other for years and tell me stories of how the neighborhood was before it had a road.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Costa Rica?
This is a great place to prefect one’s Spanish as people here are both encouraging and patient when they see you are trying. Geographically, it is a very beautiful and interesting country, with a little bit of everything - volcanoes, mountains, ocean, and even Afro-Caribbean culture. Flora and fauna flourish here and are accessible for humans to see and study.

On the other hand, as nice as the people are here, they are a little too complacent about the problems of this country. Sure, we all have problems, but some that exist here are pretty disgusting. For example, child kidnapping and prostitution is a big problem here, but it doesn’t seem to bother most people. Also, most people must live in prison-like isolation. My apartment, as most, is highly secure with barbed wire atop a 15-foot barrier to the outside world. Neighbors know my landlord has a gun, so thugs stay away. Most people live this way, as it is the only way to avoid being robbed or assaulted.

One more…the country, especially in areas near the Pacific Ocean, is saturated with tourists. This has made travel expensive and generally unappealing to me, although the Caribbean beaches are affordable and less crowded, and I find them to have a more interesting sense of culture. The beaches and atmosphere are lovely. Also, Costa Rica is very accessible to many countries. Nicaragua and Panama are a $5 bus ride away. Ecuador, Colombia, and other South American countries are a one-to-two hour flight away.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Costa Rica?
Learn a little Spanish and practice the "pura vida" lifestyle. Enjoy life, take it easy, and slow it down.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Costa Rica?
La Cuenta de Jenny - my "fun" and simple Web site.