We are very excited you have chosen the AIDE as your program provider! AIDE is an educational travel organization devoted to expanding the horizons of people of all ages through experiencing another culture. Based in Austin, Texas, AIDE offers a wide range of programs. AIDE was launched as a not for profit sister organization of Alliance Abroad Group (AAG), in order to expand upon the programs historically offered by the AAG Outbound Department.

As a not for profit AIDE aims to reach a larger audience, and has more than 16 years of experience in offering programs abroad due to its previous home in the AAG Outbound Department. Through its affiliation with some of the world’s oldest and most respected language schools and experiential education programs, AIDE has helped thousands of people travel abroad. The organization provides interesting customized programs to students and young adults wishing to work, teach or volunteer in many countries across the world. AIDE prides itself in being able to offer program flexibility, support, quality placements, an easy application process and affordable prices.


What Happens Next?

• Within 2-7 business days you should receive an invoice, sent to you through email, from our finance department. Please keep an eye out for this email! It may be diverted to your junk mail folder. Your payment is due no later than 60 days prior to your arrival date. We will not start the placement process until full payment has been received.
** AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser.

• Once the program fee is paid in full, your application is submitted to the local coordinator to begin matching you to an appropriate project and host family. Placements are typically confirmed 2-6 weeks prior to your arrival date. However, due to the fact that we are working with another culture, you may need to be flexible about receiving your placement.

• We will send you pre-departure orientation materials for your review. It is very important that you carefully review all materials that are sent to you. Ask if you have any questions!

• Once you have purchased airline tickets, you must email us your complete itinerary. It is very important that you include details such as airline, flight number, connecting airports, time and day of arrival and the day you plan to leave Costa Rica. We use this information to arrange for your airport pick up and insurance. IMPORTANT – your insurance will not be activated until we receive your flight details.

• Once your placement is found, we will send you the details of the placement for your approval. It is important to us that you are matched up with the best placement so you can have the experience you are seeking. Once you have read over the project description, you will need to send back your approval and agreement to the terms of the project. This can be done by sending an email stating your acceptance of the terms of the project. The email serves as an “electronic signature.”

• Once we have received your project approval and complete flight details, you are ready to start your adventure!

Meet the staff

We are here to support you throughout your entire program. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help. Remember, we can not fix a problem if we do not know about it.

AIDE
1221 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746 USA
Fax: 1- 512-857-1108
Tel: 1-866-6ABROAD

Sklyar King – Program Coordinator
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1137
Email: skylar@aideabroad.com

Kimberly Wied – Program Manager
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1147
Email: kim@aideabroad.com

Arriving in Costa Rica

You may purchase your tickets at any time. You will need to arrive on the Saturday at the beginning of your Spring Break vacation, and can leave the following Saturday. A representative from the Costa Rica Backpackers hostel or the transport service INTERBUS will be at the airport to pick you up. The shuttle will take you back to the hostel where we have arranged for your first nights stay. If you need to stay additional nights before or after your program starts, you will need to cover the additional cost. However we may make the reservations for you. In this event, you must provide us with at least 2 weeks notice.

On Monday you will meet with your local coordinator for orientation in the morning, and then you will leave for your project - your host family may be able to come pick you up in San Jose, or you will take a bus to your project location and your host family will meet you at the bus stop. With groups, you will all take a bus together to your project location.

Visa Documentation

If you are an American, Canadian, Australian, European or a New Zealand citizen you do not need a visa for Costa Rica. Your passport will admit you to the country for 90 days as a tourist. If you are planning to stay for longer than 90 days it is necessary to obtain a work permit.

Insurance

One of the benefits of booking your trip through AIDE is that we provide excellent travel insurance, which covers health, accidents and prescriptions for medical issues which develop during your program. You are also covered for emergency evacuation related to medical necessity. Please note that pre-existing conditions are not covered, and you also will be responsible for a deductible. The Outbound Program Manager will give you an insurance card with insurance carrier contact information to have during your trip. Details of the coverage can be found on the AIDE website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will my volunteer project be and what will I be doing?
The location and duties of your project will depend on the particular project in which you are placed. We do our best to make sure each participant is matched up with the best project for him or her, but your placement is always subject to availability. Our Spring Break projects include: working at the Coronado Orphanage, Children’s Museum, San Jose Zoo and The Animal Protection Association or working on a variety of projects in Ciudad Quesada, including working with an animal rescue center, an orphanage, and helping to paint murals or repair buildings at a local school. Other projects may also be available, please contact us for more information.

What will my volunteering schedule be?
Your schedule will vary depending on your particular volunteer project. All volunteers are required to volunteer for 4 hours a day. Once you arrive in Costa Rica you may work out your particular work schedule with the volunteer coordinator of your project. Some projects are flexible about work schedules, while others have specific times that they will need you.

Who is my host family?
All host families are screened by our partner in Costa Rica. Some families have small children, some are single parent households, others have no children, or children that have already moved out. In most cases, the family you stay with during your volunteer project will be middle-class Costa Rican people. They live much more simply than you may be accustomed to. It is important to keep in mind that this is part of your immersion experience. Living in such different conditions may be difficult, but it is part of the challenge, and ultimately will be part of your growth gained from your experience in Costa Rica. Almost all our participants say that their experience with their host family is their favorite part of the program. It is an amazing opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the culture, and engage in life like a Costa Rican.

What will my accommodations be like?
As stated above, your family will be a middle-class Costa Rican family, and they live far more simply than you may be accustomed to. Showers may be cold or luke-warm, and water may be limited or expensive so please be mindful. Food will be very different. You will have your own room, but you will likely share a bathroom. There may also be other volunteers from around the world staying with the same family. They are opening their home to you and we ask that you do not treat it like a hotel. You will need to pick up after yourself and keep your room clean. Be mindful of the amount of time you spend showering and on the phone. Always inform you family if you are going to miss a meal or will be gone for long hours at a time.

How will I do my laundry?
Your host mother will likely do your laundry for you, however, for cultural reasons we ask that you clean your own undergarments.

When will I eat?
During your volunteer project, you will receive 3 meals a day with your host family. If you volunteer during lunch, they may make you a meal to take with you such as a sandwich.

What is the food like?
In Costa Rica you will be eating a lot of rice, beans, eggs, and meat. A typical Costa Rican breakfast will consist of eggs, rice and beans, though it may also be cereal. Lunch is the largest meal of the day, and will consist of rice, beans, and meat. Dinner is much the same. The Costa Rican people drink a lot of fresh fruit juice and eat a lot of fresh fruit. Costa Rican food is not particularly spicy.

What if I’m a vegetarian?
Your host family will try their best to accommodate any special diet requirements you may have. However, please be prepared to supplement your own meals if they are unable to adjust their cuisine to meet your needs.

Can I drink the water?
Yes! You are welcome to drink the water in Costa Rica without fear of getting sick.

Do I need to get any immunizations before I leave?
AIDE does not require any proof of immunizations, however we do recommend that you research which ones are needed for Costa Rica based on your past immunization history. The Center for Disease Control has an excellent website about health and travel at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx. You should always consult with your doctor about what immunizations he or she recommends for Costa Rica. This is important as you do not want any medications or immunizations to conflict with any current or past treatment. You should take care of any immunizations 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival as many immunizations require booster shots, or take some time to be effective.

Do I have to do anything after the program is over?
Yes, as part of AIDE’s Volunteer in Costa Rica Program you are required to complete an evaluation form at the conclusion of your program. You will receive the form by email shortly after you return. It is very important to us to hear about your experiences. It helps us improve our programs, and will ultimately help all the participants that follow you.