(funky upbeat music)
- Ola, Buenos Dias.
My name is Kathleen, and I live
in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.
So, I usually go to school around 6:45,
seven o'clock in the morning,
but today I have a doctor's appointment,
so I thought it'd be a good opportunity
to show you guys a glimpse into the medical system
here in Costa Rica.
So, I'm gonna hop on a bus, go into town,
and I will check in when I get to the clinic.
Before I head out, I wanted to give you a little look
at my backyard, which is one of my favorite spots.
It's beautiful, surrounded by nature,
it's where I spend a lot of my mornings.
While I wait, I thought I'd answer a couple
of the questions that I've already gotten.
As far as how long I've been in Costa Rica, I moved here,
this time around, about one year ago, exactly.
The school year here starts in January,
and I moved about a month prior, last December.
So, yeah, we're wrapping up the school year right now,
and then we have about a month break
before the next year begins.
(bus engine softly rumbles)
So while we wait, one of the really beautiful things
about living and working in Costa Rica, is that
all residents and/or workers receive health insurance.
It's comforting living abroad and having insurance.
I think not having to worry about travelers insurance,
and knowing that you're covered
in case something does happen.
And the quality of care is great.
It's just what you would expect in the states.
One thing I will say, is that there are very long waits,
for everything in Costa Rica.
It's, tico time is what they call it,
and it's not an insult me saying that,
it's kind of a self-proclaimed Costa Rican thing.
So if you have an appointment, I would clear,
probably three hours out of your day,
just because it may take a while.
And especially through the social security clinics,
that's where everybody in Costa Rica goes, so.
This is Jaco.
This is the closest city to Hermosa,
it's about 10 minutes away, and this is
where you'll find all of your doctors,
grocery stores, shops, everything like that.
While we wait for the bus back to Hermosa
to go to school, I got a little snack.
This is called a Granadilla, and it's one
of my favorite fruits in Costa Rica.
It's a little off-putting when you see the.
So, it's hard on the outside, and then
when you crack it open, it has all these slimy little seeds
on the inside, and that's what you eat, so.
As far as work goes, I love my job.
I work at a small, bilingual private school
in Hermosa, teaching fourth through sixth grade,
English, math and science.
I came to Costa Rica without securing my job first.
It seems like they prefer to do in-person interviews here.
But once I did arrive, I had my job within two weeks.
So on a normal day, I get to school around seven o'clock.
Classes begin at 7:30, and end at 2:30.
In addition to the classes I teach, English, science
and math, the students also have Spanish and social studies,
which are taught by a Costa Rican professor.
However, I do get paid for being there the whole day.
This is the little path from my house to the beach,
and I think it's gonna be a pretty good sunset.
Some coconuts.
It's gonna be a good sunset.
It's high tide right now.
Not the most ideal conditions for surfing
or swimming, but still beautiful.
Getting coconuts.
(coconut shell cracks)
(Kathleen laughs)
So you saw where I live, saw where I work,
and hopefully I'll see you soon in Costa Rica.
(funky upbeat music)