Dear Students, Friends and Colleagues of OTS-Duke Undergraduate Programs,

In the interest of keeping our students and their families informed as to how recent international events might affect our programs and activities, we have decided to establish this web page that focuses specifically on travel safety issues in Costa Rica. It is my hope that this new avenue of communication will allow OTS students, prospective students, and their families to better understand what impacts, if any, recent developments on the international political scene might have on the safety and security of U.S. citizens enrolled in OTS-Duke Undergraduate Programs.

I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we have no indication at this time that the war will in any way affect the safety and security of OTS students in Costa Rica.

Historically, Costa Rica has been and continues to be a relatively safe destination for U.S. Citizens. The country has a long history of political stability, upheld by a citizenry with strong democratic principles, and a commitment to peace as exemplified by the absence of a standing army since 1948. In addition, Costa Rica has traditionally had a positive and productive diplomatic relationship with the United States, and Costa Rican citizens are invariably warm, friendly and welcoming to visitors from the U.S. Together, these factors make Costa Rica an excellent, safe and stable destination for U.S. citizens abroad during these otherwise trying times.

While we are confident that Costa Rica will remain free of anti-Americanism and anti-American activity in the future, we will continue to monitor the situation and to keep you informed as events with respect to Iraq continue to unfold on the international stage. In cooperation with our colleagues in the Duke Office of Study Abroad, OTS staff and faculty are keeping a close eye on national and international climates, including the monitoring of all updates and announcements from the State Department. We are deeply committed to our students’ safety and well being, and will not expose our students to unnecessary danger.

If you have any questions about safety in Costa Rica, particularly as relates to the war in the Middle East, please do not hesitate to contact me at karing@ots.ac.cr or our Undergraduate Program Officer, Rodney Vargas, at Duke University, rvargas@duke.edu , phone 919-684-5774.

In addition, for regular updates on the international situation and its potential impact on students abroad, you may wish to take advantage of the following internet resources:

News of war obviously brings with it important questions, concerns and fears, particularly for those of us who live, work and study in the international context. It also causes us to redouble our efforts to ensure our own safety and the safety of our loved ones. While we must take necessary and reasonable precautions at this time, this is also an important moment for reaffirming our commitment to study abroad.

The unraveling of diplomatic relationships on the international stage is a grim reminder that we are still a long way from establishing effective avenues of international understanding and cooperation. The study abroad experience is one of the most important tools we have for establishing a competent international citizenry capable of building a peaceful future established on principles of mutual respect and negotiation. I therefore ask all of you to join me in making every effort to continue making the study abroad experience available and productive for all of our students and future leaders.

Again, please do not hesitate to contact us at OTS if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,