I love Costa Rica Past Review
By Michelle C (Communication Studies - Corporate, The University of Texas at Austin) for
API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores
YES! It was a nice break from the craziness of America. I plan on going back very soon.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Despite the coursework being 100% in spanish, it was fairly easy for me because I am bilingual. Also, the class sizes on average was about 10 people so it was an interactive learning environment. *Note* Always take some money to class, you have to pay for the copies that the professors give you. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All very nice people |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Most host families are located only 10 to 15 minutes from the institute (walking). If you are one of the lucky ones, your walk could be as short as a few minutes. There aren't many street lights or sidewalks so at night be very careful. However when I left in Spring 2011 they were building sidewalks on the main roads so hopefully they are finished by now. |
| * Food: |
Overall, my host mom cooked good food. Advice: If you have any issues with certain foods make sure to bring it up on DAY 1. Don't be shy to tell your host family that you don't like something or else you are going to starve for 4 months. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My favorite places in Costa Rica had to be Monte Verde, Manuel Antonio, and Rio Celeste. I also enjoyed going to Panama and Nicaragua. You really will just have a great time no matter where you go. The country and its people are great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never had any problems with safety in San Joaquin. San Jose is the city where you do have to be more careful because it is so crowded and theifs tend to target tourists. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | No. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 312L SEC-YR SPN II: ORAL EX/RD/COMP |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most of the younger people do know english but they will still talk to you in Spanish unless they want to practice. You will probably speak the most spanish with your host family and professors. Costa Rica also has alot of their own lingo which you will learn some of it during orientation. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are looking for an affordable study abroad program that still gives you a vast amount of experiences, choose this one! Make sure to take advantage of your weekends and travel all over Costa Rica. There is so much to see. I was there for 4 months and I still didn't get to do half the things that I wanted to. |
