You will soon be departing on your ACIS program. For some of you, this will be the first time you have been so far away from home without your families, and you need to understand some basic guidelines.
    You are going to a foreign destination,  and you will be exposed to different languages spoken by people with customs different from your own. Your impressions of new countries and people will very much depend on how you deal with being a stranger in a strange land. You are the visitor, and you must not expect a foreign visit to provide the same conveniences or same systems to which you are accustomed. The telephone system may work differently. The currency may be confusing to you. The food may be too spicy. There may even be some delays and inconveniences. Plan to be able to come to terms with these differences with calmness and an open mind. People will be friendly and helpful to you if you come across in the same manner to them. Do not look at everything through the lens of a camera before looking at it with your own eyes. Your memories will be your more pleasurable moments, not just hasty snapshots. Many of the things you learn will last a lifetime.
    Be cautious and mindful of your own safety at all times. Monuments are made for admiring, not climbing upon. Marble stairs can be slippery, and were not made for running! We are all mindful of the hazards near our homes, so we known how to avoid them. While abroad, you may confront new, unfamiliar potential hazards; and, therefore, you must be cautious and deliberate at all times, and watch your steps carefully.
    For the program to operate as smoothly as possible, be punctual -- do not keep others waiting. Be supportive of  your teacher and the staff. We need to have full support of group cohesiveness and will enforce discipline so that everyone on the program has the best possible experience. Respect other people's property. You will be responsible for any damage you might cause.
    As a student traveling abroad, you are in a very important responsible position. You are representing your family, your chaperones, your school, your community, and your country. Your enthusiasm and willingness to learn is the key to experience that awaits you.

   1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home, for thou hast left home to find things different.
   2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a care-free mind is the beginning of fine travelling.
   3. Thou shall not let others get on thy nerves for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself.
   4. Remember to take only half of the clothes thou thinks thou needs - and twice the money.
   5. Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
   6. Remember that if we had been expected to stay in one place, we would have been created with roots.
   7. Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no please - few things are truly fatal.
   8. When in Rome, be prepared to do somewhat as the Romans do. Same goes for Athens, Santorini and Nauplion.
   9. Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by the one person who hast given them trouble.
  10. Remember, thou art a guest in other lands, and he that treateth his host with respect will be honoured.

     The basic unit of currency in Costa Rica is the colon. As of  March 4, 2008, $1 is equal to 496 colon. There are about 5 colon to a penny. Many web sites will convert dollars into colon and colon into dollars. (For one example, click here.)
         One very important thing to understand is that no one changes money for free. Every time you change from one currency to another, you pay a fee. Sometimes it's a flat fee and sometimes it's a percentage. You don't want to change back and forth more often than necessary, because every time you change you lose a little. It's best just to change what you think you will need. If you change money before you leave, save the receipt because they will change your euros back to dollars (up to the amount you originally changed) without charging you for it.
      The exchange rates that you see here and on web sites apply to major financial institutions that are handling transaction of $1 million or more. We don't get the full rate when we change $10. Usually banks offer the highest rates. You can also magically convert your dollars into local currency at the airport and at change offices (also called exchange bureaus) that you see on the street. They charge a commission, which means you might pay a $5 fee no matter how much money you change. Obviously it doesn't make sense to change a small amount and pay a commission. But don't waste a lot of time looking for the best rate. The purpose of this trip isn't to see how much time we can spend saving a few pence. Never change money with a person on the street, no matter how nice and friendly they seem. Just don't.
     Some shops will gladly accept US dollars. That's fine, as long as you make sure you're getting a fair exchange rate.
     A credit card or debit card is a good way to make major purchases, because they are accepted just about everywhere and they get the best exchange rate. You can also use traveller's checks, but we don't recommend them. They can be very inconvenient.
 

Things to Know Before You Go
         Traveling Overseas
         Packing Tips
         Money Matters
         Medical Information
         Behavior Guidelines
         Academic Credit
 

1. Photocopy your passport, and bring the copy to our meeting.

2. Complete the medical form, and have mom or dad SIGN IT.

3. Go over the behavior guidelines with your parents, and bring the permission slip to the meeting with you.

4.Check out some of the awesome sites on Greece that I have listed.

5. Start getting really excited about this trip ... because it will be time to pack before you know it!!!!!