9 Things to Know Before High School in Costa Rica

High school in Costa Rica will be magical. Get ready with these tips! ☆ For a lot of teens, a high school abroad program will be their first time traveling internationally, and for many it will be their first time away from home. This is a big step that prepares you for so many more incredible adventures to come. High school in Costa Rica will introduce you to new people, cultures, languages, and ways of life. Costa Rica high school programs will look great on college applications and help to make you a true international citizen, which is increasingly being recognized as very important for success in life.

High school in Costa Rica will be an incredible journey of personal growth!

So you’ve decided to study abroad in Costa Rica. You’ve applied for a program, convinced your parents this is a great idea, and bought a Spanish-English dictionary. You’ve started bragging to your friends, read up on all of the gorgeous beaches and scuba spots, and researched where you can meet a sloth. Wondering what else you need to do and what you need to know to prepare? Not to worry, GoAbroad is here to help you figure out what to know before you go abroad to high school in Costa Rica!

9 high school in Costa Rica tips

1. You can earn school credit

Whether you’re heading to Costa Rica for a semester, a year, or just the summer, your program may be eligible for school credit. Talk to your teachers and the program organizers to find out how to maximize your time abroad. Maybe you’ll get out of taking Spanish classes when you get home!

On the flip side, spending a semester or year abroad could mean you have to repeat some courses when you get home. This is also important to be aware of before you leave so that you can prepare. Either way, talk to your teachers or advisors to make sure you are fully prepared for your high school program in Costa Rica.

2. There are opportunities to learn the language!

You probably already know Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country. If you’ve already been taking Spanish classes in school, then you’re off to a good start! However, the Spanish spoken in Costa Rica might be a bit different from what you’ve been learning—and you'll have plenty of opportunities to gain new skills.

While English is widely spoken around the world, you should always take the time to learn the local language in your destination. The people you meet will be so happy and welcoming when they see (and hear) you are making an effort to learn about their home. Language skills are also something that will always come in handy no matter where life takes you.

3. Homestays are awesome

Live close to family!

Many Costa Rica high school programs include a homestay. Living with a host family is an excellent way to make your Costa Rica high school program a life-changing experience. Your host family will share their everyday lives and customs with you. They will make you a part of their family while showing you a side of Costa Rica most people don’t get to see or experience. A homestay experience is one of the best ways to learn the language too!

4. Culture shock is real

You’ve probably heard a lot about culture shock. It’s very real and affects most travelers at some point during their time abroad. Experiencing and getting used to a new culture in a new home is one of the exciting parts of high school abroad in Costa Rica. But adapting, fitting in, making new friends...these things are hard and tiring. Not to worry though—culture shock is manageable, especially with the help of our many articles on the subject.

5. Journaling is a best practice

Keep track of your experiences and make journaling a regular habit during your time in high school in Costa Rica. It can be a video journal, a photo journal, a written or a digital one. No matter the format, the act of recording your experiences will help you process the hard stuff and remember the incredible stuff.

Plus, a journal will come in handy when it’s time to fill out college applications and you want to highlight your time in Costa Rica to wow the college admissions teams. Consider keeping two versions of your journal: one for your private thoughts and feelings about your experiences, and one to share with your family and friends back home.

6. Know about passports and visas

If you do your own research, you’ll be prepared for your next adventure—no parental help needed!

While you can (and definitely should) get help from your parents or guardians, teachers, or programs advisors in regards to getting your passport and visa, it’s also a really good idea to do your own research beforehand.

Search online for what you need to get your passport, visas, and any other important documents before your trip. Ask for help understanding all of the requirements—going abroad is an opportunity to grow and develop a sense of responsibility and independence that will help you quite a bit down the road.

7. Money is importante

Did you know there are scholarships available for study abroad? Check out GoAbroad’s scholarship resources to help fund your high school program in Costa Rica! In addition to scholarships, consider other sources of funding for your adventures. Ask those same people who are helping you figure out your visa and passport to help you create a budget and start saving.

The more prepared you are before you leave for Costa Rica, the less stressed you’ll be about money while you’re there. Talk with your parents about your spending allowance, and what they’re willing to contribute—or what you’ll have to come up with on your own.

8. Make sure to stay healthy

Your parents will not be flying to Costa Rica to regularly remind you to eat your vegetables, drink plenty of water, or wear sunscreen; so this is us reminding you. Ask your parents to help you make sure you have all of the necessary vaccines and check ups from the doctor. Ask them about health insurance, and fill your prescriptions before you leave.

While you are in Costa Rica, ask your new friends, teachers, program leaders, and homestay family for help figuring out how to communicate your allergies (if you have any) in Spanish. Try new foods and adventures, but also take care of yourself. Experiencing a foreign hospital may be an adventure to remember, but there are way better adventures awaiting you outside of the hospital.

9. There are further study abroad opportunities

High school in Costa Rica is the start of your journey as a global citizen!

Prepare to be bitten by the travel bug (sorry, there is no spray to prevent it!). A Costa Rica high school program is just the start of your study abroad and international travel experiences. The number of summer, semester, and year-long programs available to high school students is always on the rise.

College will open a whole new world of possibilities for study abroad too. Don’t even get us started on the gap year and post-college possibilities. Join an airline frequent flyer program (or four) because this is just the start of your international adventures. And GoAbroad can help! We’ve got tips, lists, tools, and resources for just about any kind of travel experience you can think of.

Next steps to high school in Costa Rica

But don't pack your GoPro juuuust yet. There are a few items on your teen travel abroad to-do list you should check off first.

Language classes or something more fun and experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your studies back home (though it never hurts to get more credits towards graduation). Decide if you want to use this time abroad to learn hard skills like Spanish or to develop soft-er skills, like teamwork and communication, through something like a service project.
Choose from the best high school study abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between teen travel abroad programs.
Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Be sure to check out high school travel scholarships too!
Talk to your guidance counselor. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your school requires, if anything. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your school to see if there are more choices available to you.

You’re ready for high school abroad in Costa Rica!

Keep an eye out for these guys!

You’re ready for turquoise seas, sea turtles, coffee farms, sloths, rainforests, and surfing. You’re ready to discover what Ticos (aka Costa Ricans) really mean when they say pura vida. You’re ready to learn about (and from) new people, to grow and develop, to change the way you see the world. You’re ready to learn in the classroom and out, to learn things you didn’t even realize you needed to know. You’re ready for high school in Costa Rica and all of the adventures that will follow!

Whether this is your first time abroad or your 10th, a high school study abroad program is a unique opportunity to gain skills and experiences that will help you in college, or whatever comes next. Even if this is your tenth time abroad, seek out advice from program alumni, teachers, and fellow travelers and soak up all the knowledge you can; then pass it forward and help the Costa Rica high school students that come after you! All that’s left to do now is to pack your bags (pro tip: roll your clothes to optimize space!), and keep practicing your Spanish skills. Bon voyage!