Making the move Abroad, my experience, 7 years, Jaco, Costa Rica

Since I have lived in Jaco, Costa Rica for over 7 years now and, I guess, I show some sign of being successful in business and am still excited to be here, are the reasons why I often end up being the listener then advisor to many of the new residents in town. I give them advice on business and living in Costa Rica in general. So I thought, why not share what I regard as my best “ relocating in Costa Rica advise” to gringos (p.s. this term in Latin America is used by the nationals as all Westerners, including Canadians, even though they like to think else wise).  It is a word, which originally was derogatory, but since has become the norm and most have no clue of the derogative background.

1.) Anywhere anybody lives, you always hear people or yourself complain. Why, because the grass is always greener on the other side. So take all the rumors and complaints in with a grain of salt and not as it is legitimate as a “direct quote form the NYT.”

2.) Always remember that you relocate thousands of miles away from the U.S. and are now in the middle of Central America. If you are using U.S. customs and cultural norms; you are most likely going to get very frustrated and never are truly enjoying living abroad and taking it all in because of all that negativity you will be piling up in the back of your mind. In business and in life, I see people from the U.S frustrated because Costa Ricans often process something (a task, job, service etc.) different because they ddn’t go to he same schools, understand the same legal ideology (they use a base for of Spanish law here versus the U.S. uses a base English form of law), and they were most likely not raised with the same priorities that you have and may other differences that make cultures differing. So, in these situations sit back and relax and/or, if need be, speak kindly with the person on the other end of the situation and guide them in the way you want a situation to be handled. Perspective is the key. All of us are coming from differing backgrounds, so put yourself in their situations

3.) Take extra precautions with personal security. I tell people living here is not dangerous. The U.S media definitely does over sensitize everything, especially in regards to poverty in the U.S. Yes, I will be the first to say that the U.S. does have poverty and the poor people face many hardships. That being said, in the U.S. there are all kinds of programs, scholarships, and education opportunities. Where I originate from (Milwaukee, WI) there is a large ghetto and the homes in the oldest part are some of the most gorgeous homes, built in the 1920’s, in the city. Here they simply don’t. There is no welfare, so some of the very poor people have never even thought or imagined doing the things that al American have the opportunity and liberty to dream about. Tourists and new residents should Remember that many of the poor in Latin America truly here have nothing to lose. Many of the poor literally have nothing and there are very little repercussions. So, if they see obnoxious lavascious behavior, this could easily, become a target for some type of robbery crime; one computer on the black market might feed a family for 1 month or more. Also if you leave your lap top on a table in a crowded bar (even not crowded) while you use the john and it is gone when you return…this isn’t Kansas anymore and you cannot treat it as if you were in your home city. Treat Latin America like a big city and take precautions. When those precautions become habit, then you understand why people might rob you if they had the opportunity. If you don’t give them the opportunity, the danger stops there in Costa Rica. Generally speaking, Costa Rica is safe, and the misconception that Jaco is dangerous, is simply and absolutely not true there is only more trouble to get into in Jaco.

Take these 3 tips into account when visiting and especially after you make any big move abroad. I believe these simple rules above can apply to many different cultures and countries. When you can accept the things above and no longer obsess about it, (obsessing and hating about things like this is part of the shock of moving to a new culture, but it does leave If you stick it out.) you will see that your new countries’ grass is pretty green too and you might even take some time to smell the local flowers! You’ll find people in Costa Rica (and Latinos in general), more in touch with reality and more grounded and desensitized. If you are fat here, they nick name you “fatty,” if you look tired they tell you, enjoy the real life and take it all in by opening your mind and enjoying the culture. In business You can only force people into you desired mold by first understanding them. There are so many more things to learn as well for a well-adjusted gringo transplant, though, I believe, these things above open the door to most of the other adjustments you have to make.