Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Adventure is out There! Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 07/23/2019 to 08/05/2019 with

Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a better understanding of culture and the environment. I would not trade the experience for anything.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was an absolutely amazing experience. I loved who I got to do it with and all the new experiences I had.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was working a full-time job to save up for this program.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would say no more than $50.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can save money by buying snacks to satisfy your hunger, so you aren't always having to buy a full meal.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Did not have one.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I found that Duolingo was helpful to refresh my memory on the Spanish I learned in High School.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiences
  • Friends
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known to pack much less. There were so many extra things that I packed that I never used.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.