Costa Rica was the best experience I have ever had. Past Review
By Katelyn K (Spanish, Colorado State University) for
API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores
After studying abroad, I changed my major to Spanish and gave me an even deeper passion to live in Central or South America and teach english. I love everything about the culture and the language.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a good balance of being to learn about the language and the culture along with whichever class you were taking and it's material. You learned a lot, but you also had time to enjoy being there and were able to travel often. The school is so beautiful and is in the middle of a garden and they serve you fresh fruit and coffee every morning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was great from before I left, the staff did everything they could to help me get ready and send in everything. If I had any questions they were there, and were all really nice. Once I got there, Francy and Esteban were so great and were there just to hang out or support us or to answer any questions we might have. They were really cool and so nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was so amazing. They were all really accommodating and counted me as part of the family right away. My host-brother hung out with us students and me and my host-mom would have talks. It was really close to school, it took me 5 minutes to walk there. There are some bars in towns, but the best ones are in Heredia, which isn't too far away. |
| * Food: |
Food was always really good, there was once where I wasn't sure what I was eating. But I came back with a book full of recipes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of our trips were really fun, and the people in the program was so amazing. Outside of school we set up soccer nights 2 times a week, Zumba 1 night a week, and small get togethers other times. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
San Joaquin de flores is pretty safe, Costa Rica as a whole does have a pretty bick issue with theft, so just watch your stuff. Other than that it is fine. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my host family. My host-brother knew English, so he would help me at times, but the rest only spoke Spanish. I had to used Spanish in class of course and I tried to practice with the American friends (but that didnt always happen). There are quite a few people who speak English in Costa Rica though. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I had such an amazing adventure in Costa Rica. I personally grew so much, I learned a lot, and I practiced the language. It was amazing to live in a culture that is so different and not only about money, like America. To see the amazing beauty that Costa Rica has to offer and the stories and histories from the people there, it is such a great experience. |
