Lo Mejor Experiencia de Mi Vida- Que Tuanis Mae! Past Review
By Megan C (Spanish Language and Literature., The University of Texas at Austin) for
API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores
I wouldn't change a single thing about it and would not trade my experience in Costa Rica for anything!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved the Institute! The professors were friendly and fun. The quaint setting and fresh fruit everyday really made my experience enjoyable. While there weren't other Costa Rican students, I enjoyed getting to know the teachers, staff and fellow American students. Getting to know the students on a daily basis helped us to become closer and in turn enabled us to meet their families as well. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My advisors were always accessible and ready to tell us about their country and culture. They really looked after us and made sure we made the most of our experience. All the classes that I thought would transfer, did transfer and in a timely fashion. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best Tica Family! I had 2 parents, 4 siblings (29,28,25,18), a brother-in-law, and 2 nephews that were all in the house or lived extremely close. I loved every bit of that. They were always there to give me suggestions, practice spanish, cook excellent food, etc. I called them mami, papi, hermana, heremano... just as if they were really my own. I plan to go back in July to see them again and I can't wait. I met new life long friends... better yet... Familia. |
| * Food: |
Gallo Pinto is a very common breakfast food and it = delicious. My mama Tica provided the most amazing meals everyday... no complaints. I don't think I ever had a meal I didn't like and that goes not only to my host family but to the country as well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved to the beaches: all the students usually got together on the weekends to visit different ones Volcano Arenal was a fun trip with the Institute Each Christmas, San Joaquin hosts a Christmas Concert in the Plaza- It was a great way to end the semester... a ton of fun! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt in any kind of danger. I was always with a group of people. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was able to practice Spanish everyday at the Institute, with my host families, the community... everywhere possible! Because we were in such a small town (San Joaquin), we needed to rely on our spanish which was great practice. The people were friendly, inviting and always willing to help with their native language. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students who want to go to Costa Rica need to be adventurous and ready to explore the country. While many of the people there speak english as a second language, Spanish will definitely benefit you. Get ready for fun-loving, easy going and proud people with great food, great dancing, great culture and an awesome environment. Pura Vida! |
