Pure Life Past Review

By (Concordia University - Irvine) - abroad from 10/02/2017 to 12/23/2017 with

AIFS: San José - Universidad Veritas and Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to truly appreciate life. Take a break from technology and just go take a bus downtown and see things you've never seen in your own city. Costa Rica made me realize how to be happy with who I am surrounded by.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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

My program was the best, hands down. From safety to inclusion, AIFS made sure we felt at home.

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? I ate out a lot, but food was still cheap. I normally spent about a little over $100 each week

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? Advanced
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Safety Repercussions
  • The excursions
  • The family unit
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That San Jose is the real heart of Costa Rica so do not expect google images right when you get off the plane.