Costa Rica Forum

gomezmora
Joined 2019
Posts: 1

5 years ago

Student Moving to San Jose

5 years ago

Hi!

I am graduating this summer with a degree in Biology with focus on Pre-dentistry. This means that I will also be applying to dental school for the 2020 cycle. Technically I won't be starting school again until August 2020 (if I get accepted into dental school). My mom is Costa Rican and because of that I am also a Costa Rican national. My dream has always been to move to Costa Rica for a while so I can learn about the culture, get to know my familly, and practice my Spanish (because it's honestly trash). I can speak, read, and kind of write it, but I struggle having a conversation 100% in Spanish and always have to say a sentence or two in English to get my point accross.

I have been lucky enough to have found a dental internship at a clinic in San Jose, Costa Rica. My plan was to live with my uncle and his family for this time, but he said he is not willing to house me (family drama I guess?). I have another uncle that offered me an apartment that I could live in for my time there. This saves me living expenses because he is not asking me to pay rent or anything. Yet, the place has not been kept up. No one has lived there for the past like 5 years and it is not furnished. I think the only thing it has is a mattress.

I plan to move there mid-September - May. I will be taking as much as I can from the US like kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and bedsheets. I know I am incredibly lucky to at least have an apartment ready for me. I won't be having to pay utilities either. Yet, in my internship they will only be giving me about $300 a month. That is all I will have to live because my parents cannot afford to send me money.

I was wondering if there are cheap places to buy furniture or forums I could post where people could help me out? The apartment also needs flooring and a new fridge, about how much does this cost? Also, since I will not be making much at the clinic, what are the opportunities to tutor English?

Thanks for your help!!

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