My Best Summer Yet! Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., Texas A&M - Prairie View A&M University) - abroad from 07/05/2014 to 08/02/2014 with

Adelante: San Jose - Semester, Summer and Intern in San Jose

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
comfort with speaking the language, fluency, and vocab.. all which improved my confidence

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? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? too much
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? do go out to eat every day, spend money on food you can make for lunch at your house

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
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? go with students who will agree not to speak english

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • enviornment/ nature
  • the friendly Ticos
  • excursions
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Ticos will try to take advantage of you because you're American, an easy target and they assume you have lots of money. AND the USD is worth half of the Colon, so you can run out of money quicker