Amazing, fruitful, and fulfilling! Past Review
By A student (International Relations and Affairs., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 07/01/2012 to 08/11/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores
I learned how to adapt to a new way of life. It was amazing to be accepted into another family and exposed to their lifestyle, friends, and culture. It was extremely worthwhile to take Spanish classes, immerse myself in the Costa Rican culture with my host family, and travel the country with great people going to beautiful places!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | El Instituto de San Joaquin de Flores |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In Costa Rica, be very aware of the roads and driving. Traffic can be alarming and they often are negligent to pedestrians. Costa Rican infrastructure is also not very reliable. The people are very friendly and sweet but it is recommended not to be out at night walking around. After dark, take a taxi. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 lived on about $100-150 a week and that money was primarily only spent on weekends traveling. During the week there was not much need to spend extra money because I ate at home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-150, this was primarily spent on bus, hostel, and food/entertainment expenses on weekends. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat only at home and enjoy your tica families cooking during the week so you can save your money for traveling and going out on weekends! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish Literature |
| 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? | Befriend your host family, siblings and locals so you can maximize your time spent communicating with them in their language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | More extensive knowledge of Costa Rican lifestyle- like you cannot flush toilet paper in Latin America! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
