• Your spending money - Calculate your spending needs carefully.  Consider these things when calculating:  your plans for the free weekend,  the souvenirs you wish to buy, and other "extras"  in which you wish to participate.  It is recommended you do NOT bring much cash ( under $50);  you should bring your spending money in travelers checks  (Free travelers checks are available to members of AAA, and to special customers at some banks).  Travelers checks are very easy to change in any bank in Costa Rica.  Also, it is recommended that you bring a credit card for emergencies. Do NOT  plan to use an ATM  machine.
• Your program money (for meals and bus) - Part of the program fee that you have paid will be distributed to you in increments throughout the program.  This money should be used to buy your lunch each day, dinners when we are on some of the weekend excursions, and bus fare to and from the University on class days.  The total amount that you are due is approximately $300.00.  You must SIGN  two sheets of paper each time you receive the meal and transportation disbursements.  The remaining disbursements will be paid in colones, at times and locations to be announced.

 

• It is unlikely that your host family will allow you to use their phone for calls to the US.  Please understand that they are not trying to be rude or inhospitable.  The telephone system is very costly for Costa Ricans.  It may also be the case that have been stuck with unpaid student phone bills in the past.  You must respect their wishes.
• Your family may call you in Costa Rica at an agreed time.  It is cheaper to call from the US  to Costa Rica.  If you do need to call the US, you will find it very convenient to use public phones at many locations (such as the University, or the Mall San Pedro).  You will need a phone card, such as ATT  or MCI.  I would NOT  suggest using a pre-paid phone card, as these tend to be unreliable in Costa Rica.

• As soon as I receive the information on your host family, I will post it to the Web site.  You will be receiving their name, address, phone number, and basic facts about their family members.  I usually do not receive this information until the 20th of December, or later.  Check your e-mail frequently and memorize or bookmark the URL for our Program homepage!

Note regarding Drop/add:  There is very little opportunity to drop or add.  However, students may want to switch in or out of honors sections.  Also, a student who drops out of a
program before the drop/add deadline is due a tuition refund.

Last day to drop/add is Jan. 8.  After the drop/add deadline, tuition is charged, a $20 fee is charged for any registration changes, and students cannot add courses without  dean's approval.  The academic penalty deadline for all programs is Jan. 21.  After this date students cannot change their registration without dean's approval.

Please - the best thing would be to take care of drop/add issues BEFORE going abroad.