Teacher Benefits

key benefits for foreign-hire teachers.

• Taxes: Foreign-hire teachers will pay taxes on their salaries, based on local legislation. Initial contracts are for two years.
• A relocation allowance: The school provides a one-time relocation allowance to assist with settling-in costs, housing needs such as furniture, appliances, etc.
• Round-trip airfare: With the assistance of CDS human resource office, the school provides round-trip airfare from the US port of departure and back during the first two-year contract. No home leave is provided by the school during this period. The school does provide annual home leave to the teacher after the completion of the first two-year contract for any contract extension.
• Moving (excess baggage) allowance: Detailed shipping information and advice will be provided to each teacher on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of materials to be shipped on the teacher's port of departure. The school provides a moving allowance to assist teachers with bringing excess baggage to Costa Rica as follows:
  
  - Accompanied excess baggage during the entry flight.
  - Unaccompanied baggage which may be shipped air freight at about the same time of the teacher's entry flight.
  
  Teachers are asked to present receipts of such expenses and will be reimbursed upon arrival in the country based on the maximum amount set by the institution for this purpose.
• Housing: The school will provide furnished housing for the teacher at his/her arrival in the country. As much as possible, the school will try to find suitable housing within a reasonable distance from the institution. Housing facility will be assigned to couples or to single teachers sharing with a roommate. Teachers are responsible for the payment of utility charges, telephone, cable and internet connection, etc. The teacher will receive an occupancy agreement form when moving into the facility. This document will outline the housing policies and procedures to be followed. The teacher should make sure to review all the information provided within the first days of his/her stay in assigned apartment. If you have specific questions about a policy or procedure, please consult our HR office.

Medical Insurance

The teacher will have full local social security coverage that will allow him/her to use the medical services of public clinics and hospitals in the country. This coverage commences on the date the teacher arrives in Costa Rica. In addition to the social security benefit, the school will cover the cost of a complementary international private medical insurance plan, of the school’s choice, in order that the teacher is able to access the service of private clinics and hospitals locally and internationally. The main provisions of the private insurance are:

• Applicants may be required to complete a medical examination, for insurance purposes, at their arrival in Costa Rica
• Insurance coverage commences as soon as the required paperwork is submitted and approved by the provider of the service. Coverage applies in and out of Costa Rica.
• Participation may be limited to four years.
• Pre-existing conditions may not be covered.
• Payments for medical services must be made by the participant and reimbursements are made at local cost rates.
• Coverage is 80% (illness) and 100% (accident).
• Teachers are asked to review all the provisions carefully.