Student Guide: Things to know
| Student Guide: Things to know |
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Student Guide THINGS TO KNOW GREETINGS In greeting a person, Latins tend to place more emphasis on physical contact than most North Americans or Europeans. When men are greeting men, they shake hands. When women are greeting men or other women, they apply a light kiss on one of the sides of the person’s face, sometimes accompanied by a light embrace. FOR WOMEN Costa Rican men enjoy flirting with women, even accompanied ones. It usually consists of a whistle or an oral comment, such as "bellísima", "mi amor", "machita", or something to the effect. Rarely does it involve contact. It can be quite disturbing if you are not used to it and the best advice is to just ignore it, don’t make eye contact, and keep on walking. HEALTH CARE The Hospital Clínica Bíblica (avenida 14, calle Ct 1/1; phone #2223-6522) and the Hospital La Católica (Guadalupe; phone #2225-9095) have facilities available for emergencies, laboratory, X-ray, and pharmacy among others for foreigners. Some of the doctors and personnel at these hospitals speak English. If you are ill and require assistance or if you have a question, please make it know to a staff member. If you have diabetes, if you are allergic to any substance, or if you have a physical condition that may require emergency attention, you should make sure the Institute and your host family are aware of it. INOCULATIONS No inoculations are currently required for entry to Costa Rica and re-entry to your country. Some traveler’s prefer to be vaccinated for yellow fever, typhoid, typhus and malaria, particularly if they are planning to visit some of the remote areas of the country. The choice is yours. If you do decide to be vaccinated, the vaccinations can be recorded on the "International Certificate of Vaccinations", which is available from public health officials and some physicians. |
