Culture Interviews

I asked my CT, Floria, and the teacher that shares our room, Glenn, how they think Costa Rican culture affects education:

Glenn:

1. Alcohol has a much larger role in the culture here than what is socially acceptable in North America. It amazes me when I see students in the Middle and High Schools come to school hung over. Its role is really apparent in graduation parties where there will be multiple types of liquor bottles on every table. (an 8th grader estimated that about 30% of her grade/friends have at least one drink a week)

2. Teachers are extremely highly qualified in Costa Rica - they somehow get a lot of bang for their buck when it comes to teacher education here. Teachers know how to work with what they have; and that shows in their products. Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates south of the United States.

Floria:

1. Costa Rican culture is very laid back, sometimes too laid back. People don't like to work very hard for what they want. Especially when you are working with upper-class students - you can tell when they bring in things that their parents or maids did for them.

2. post secondary education isn't as much of a focus here because you still have such a large job market that does not require a college degree.

3. costa ricans benefit from the country's booming tourism - we're exposed to many other cultures

4. beings a "natural" country takes education on a course toward ecological minded studies (pan-american is very recycling friendly!)

5. public schools are much more costa rica centered; you wouldn't find an extensive world history program in a public school - maybe one year