Home Stays - Tips, and expectations to help you become accustomed to your new home 

Every housing placement is different with different pros and cons, it is normal  to have some expectations about living in a foreign country, however, it is important to understand that every person's experience is different, but that an open mind and a great attitude will always prepare you to have the greatest experience abroad.

Your accommodations will be different from what you’ve probably come to expect in your home country, since it will not be university accommodation, these are real Costa Rican homes with two to five family members. 

In general, be prepared for a relatively small house in a quiet neighborhood in San Jose within walking distance to School, and to bus stops that offer an efficient public transportation system that can take you downtown within 15 minutes. 

• Room sizes are modest, with a comfortable bed and linens, a small closet, a space to study and focus on work, shared bathroom with the family, and internet connection.  You will also be provided with a Key for your room and a safe box for your valuables. Most students will be placed in single rooms but there are some houses that will have twins. 
• Family members are really friendly people who are not only waiting for you, but ready to talk, share experiences and cook delicious Costa Rican meals to make you feel welcome and help you have a great experience. 

Meals

• Costa Rican cuisine is known for being mostly mild, with high reliance on fruits and vegetables. Rice and black or red beans are a staple of most traditional Costa Rican meals, often served three times a day. Costa Rican fare is nutritionally well rounded, and nearly always cooked from scratch from fresh ingredients. Owing to the location of the country, tropical fruits and vegetables are readily available and included in the local cuisine.

Please don't hesitate to communicate with your Site Director if you feel that the food provided is not enough or is not meeting your particular needs. 

Here are some tips & rules to have in mind:

• Be conscious about making an effort to communicate, to be respectful, to keep the rules in mind, and about being clean and organized. This will always be appreciated!
• Now is the time to open your mind and get ready to experience something different; this attitude is in the spirit of your decision to study abroad. Please also remember, that when you are abroad, you will be representing your home institution and your home country; behave appropriately.

• Noise: In order to avoid disturbing family members or fellow students, please use headphones when listening to music, or keep the volume low, and please keep your voices down, especially late at night.
• Visitors: Overnight visitors are not allowed, and it's important to ask your family if it's ok to have visitors over during the day.
• Utilities and use: All utilities are included in the program fee. We ask you to be mindful of use and waste, so please turn off the lights when you leave your room, and be conscious about not wasting water when taking showers or brushing your teeth. 
• Keys: You will receive a key set from the moment you arrive which you will have to give back to the family before leaving. You should lock the house gate and door at all times. If your house keys are stolen, lost or misplaced, all locks to the house will have to be replaced at the student’s expense, including key copies for all the family members.
• Financial Liability: You will have to pay for any damage done to the doors, walls, floors, furniture, etc.
• Donating Items: If you would like to donate items after the program, talk to your host parents or to CIS Staff, they know the best places for donations. 
• Respect your host family, the property, your fellow students and neighbors. Remember that you are not on a college campus and not in your own home.
• Talk to your housemates if  something makes you uncomfortable. 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.

Disrespectful, rude or dangerous behavior or alcohol consumption can result in dismissal from your housing assignment. The consumption of drugs, as well as keeping or dealing with them, is absolutely prohibited. If a student is dismissed from their housing they will be responsible for finding their own accommodations at their own expense. Please read through all of our behavior policies noted in the CIS Abroad Policy Handbook, linked inside of the attachment to your acceptance email.