Plant trees and learn Spanish:
'Work & Learn' in Costa Rica
...and answers
What is the priority issue and main goal of the workshops??
Priority issue of these workshops is to activly contribute to the restoration and protection of the endangered forest ecosystems of the region. All participants are aware of and accept this as the main goal and support it with appropriate bahavior and their activities. For the participants having booked the languague learning option, learning Spanish is also an important goal.
When and how often does a workshop take place?
Starting from April 05, 2006 there will be workshops every month with a duration of 3 weeks. It is important to sign up early- a later starting date is only possible in exceptions, the coordinator decides about this possibility. If you are interested in the Work - only component you can start within these three weeks on a favourable date, but the language course will start on the date mentioned above.
Are there any age limitations?
Teens younger than 18 can only participate if they are accompanied by a guardian. Whoever thinks his/her body is well trained and does have joy with physical work as well as is ready to take some suffering, can participate even in his/her sixties.
Can people from various countries participate or should all be from one nationality?
Of course also people from other countries than Germany are welcome to participate. At the moment the workshop is also advertised in the Netherlands and in the US.
How many hours per day is the working time?
Working time is about 4-6 hours / day in the morning. You need to be a little flexible about this due to the weather conditions. You might also have two days off during the week and only learn Spanish or go on a trip and work on the weekend instead.
What is the work like?
There is a remarkable variety of jobs, which demand a wide spectrum of physical activities. Don't forget: with the heat and the mountainous location even simple activities are much harder than you would expect from back home - for sure it will make you sweat much more. Jobs you'll find cover seed gathering, cleaning seeds, prepare planting spots in the nursery, sort seedlings, fill soil and seeds in plastic bags, transport seedlings, plant small trees, weed (which for many is the hardest), road construction, repairing houses.
How is the Spanish course scheduled?
The Spanish course is settled 2-4 hours in the afternoon. Altogether within 3 weeks the course consists of 80 units, each comprising 45 minutes
When and how do I pay?
The payment should be settled at least one week before the start of the journey. If you're German resident, please contact Pro REGENWALD (
) for further details or information about the bank account. Otherwise you have to contact Arbofilia at (
)
What are the must-haves for the journey?
You should take rubber boots with you (you can also borrow a pair, but you might feel more comfortable with your own and the perfect size might not be available. Also, you need some sandals and old sneakers instead of hiking boots since the leather might get mouldy. Of course you should take some solid working clothes with you (long trousers & long-sleeve shirts- please at least one set to exchange), but also light, fast drying clothes (cotton). Remember some flip-flops for the house. There are not too many mosquitoes, but you might want to take a mosquito net with you.
How can I prepare for the Workshop? Is there any literature on how to plant trees?
The best thing to do is to be in a good shape (you will be surprised how many muscles you have that you did not know of before...) and to basically know the differences between forest and plantations and the meaning of the restauration of ecosystems in general (we can send you some information in English). Once you're there, you can exchange topics of special interest like orchids, bee breeding and honey production, the relationship between culture and landscape etc.
Where do I find basic information about Costa Rica?
We recommend this Link.
What are the climatic conditions like?
It is quite warm (25- 30°C) and humid, depending on the season. It might rain every day. That is why mould is a permanent hazard to food, clothing etc. (also to other things like passports and razors). We recommend not to take exclusive dresses or other precious things with you.
When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
There is no easy answer to that question since first of all the transitions are fluent and and second postponements referring to the climate change. On the pacific side of the country, usually the rainy season starts with beginning of June and remains until the end of November (besides the months with most rain, september and october, normally you will have ‚dry' mornings and rain in the afternoon). The transitionperiods are the main planting seasons.
Which vaccinations are necessary?
No vaccinations are authoritative. Since there is a lot of work to be done outside you should have an active tetanus protection. Some people vaccinate against yellow fever, but that is not absolutely necessary in that region. Please contact a doctor about this. There is no need for malaria protection.
Do I need a visa?
No visa is necessary for a touristic trip with a duration shorter than two month.
Do I need any additional insurance?
That depends on the conditions of your personal insurance. Please check and get a travel health insurance if you think it is adequate for your situation.
What is the accommodation like?
The accommodation is adapted to the local environment and built with plenty of imagination. It is a huge building with a living- kitchen on the ground floor and cabins on the first floor. There are two beds in each cabin. In addition there is a huge sleeping area with bunk beds for up to 16 persons in another building. If you wish you can also have a single room (extra charge 10 US$ per night). There are several community- showers and toilets. Everything is very simple, but clean.
Rainforest starts immediately in front of the door, in case there was one.
In some cases - due to the logistical framework - participants may have to stay overnight at one of the remote fincas (because they are too far to go up and down for planting every day). These finca buildings are simply and without any comfort ... pretty adventurous.
Are there any dangerous animals like snakes I have to worry about?
Inside the house you don't have to be afraid of snakes since it is protected by a special snake fence and furthermore, snakes avoid used houses.
At work you have to be careful. There is a story about a guy from another region in Costa Rica who mixed up a poison snake with a gardenhose... At night you should always take a torch - also if you just cross the street. It is safer to watch your step.
It is recommended to check the boots in the morning before getting them on and to turn them upside down and shake them. Once in a while there are scorpions, which cause quite painful, but no deadly stings.
As far as I understand board and lodging are included in the price.
What is the food like and will there be taken care of my vegetarian habits?
The main food is rice and beans, eggs, platanos (bananas), tomatoes and local fruit. The cooks (2 meals per day are prepared by women from the village) do their best to serve a variety. There are noodles, potatoes, meat and fish and of course a lot of tropical fruit and if somebody went to pick oranges there will be fresh orange juice. Complete vegetarian dishes are served once in a while, if trained vegetarians do the planning together with the cooks (which will also train your language skills).
Do the people at the station speak German or English?
There are only some who speak English. The cooks from the town and the workers, with whom you will work daily, only speak Spanish. This does make sense since the participants want to learn Spanish.
What ways of communication are there, e.g. telephone or internet, or do I have to go to the next village/city?
There is a telephone at the station. You can receive calls there but please keep them rather short. There is also a very slow internet connection which you can use for sending emails. You won't be able to send large image files though. Due to the station being located in a valley, mobile phones have no reception.
Where can I go shopping?
It depends on what you need. You don't have to bother about food, but there is a little shop in the neighbourhood. Clothing and other tourist souvenirs you can only get at the coast or in San Jose.
How do I get from the project to civilisation?
It's about 20 kilometres to the next village. You need a car or you can go by mountainbike, but you need to be in pretty good shape then.
I am interested in photography. Will there be time to take pictures and will I have the opportunities?
Yes, of course. The rainforest offers endless possibilities. It is a good idea to bring a tripod. At the station, there is a pc with cardreader available to edit your pictures. It is not the latest model though.
How can I spent my spare time?
Well, actually there is no "spare time" - you are on a mission to save the rainforest and this job is never completed. Most people use the spare minutes to explore the surrounding. Generally, the possibilities for common spare time activities are somehow limited, because you experience "sustainable living in the countryside" or spent most time at or around the station (besides some excursions that Arbofilia offers). In the surrounding you can play soccer, do horseback riding or go for a swim at the close river-just to name the main activities. For the more intellectual type of person we recommend to bring a few books, music (own cd-player or mp3 player needed) and maybe a few games. Please remember that humidity and mould can destroy pretty much everything.
Do I have to book the flight myself, or how do Arbofilia or Pro REGENWALD support me with the booking?
You have to book the flight yourself, but Pro REGENWALD can certainly help to find cheap offers and give assistance concerning the schedule (if you start off from Germany). For the arrangements in Costa Rica it is much easier if all participants could arrive with the same plane.
Can I get into contact with participants of earlier workshops?
Yes, you can. Just contact us (
)
and we will forward your questions.
And whoever is looking for more details now or the registration form, you want to click here.