Costa Rica: Pura Vida! Past Review
By Olutoye F (Latin American Studies., Ohio University) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica
Nowhere in the world is perfect or paradise, life is relative. What I have learned from living in Costa Rica is that we are human beings with our own rich culture and we should live to the fullest and in the purest way possible. Get to know people outside of your own culture!
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. |
The workload at Veritas University is appropriate and light. The professors try to leave weekends for travel! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CEA Global Education to Costa Rica becomes a part of you home away from home! Questions, resources and everything possible is ALWAYS available. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Always be smart no matter where you are!!! Costa Rican neighborhoods are safe, but crime exists all over the world (and this country is no exception to that). Be respectful to your host family, and they will do everything in their power to make sure you have a GREAT time! |
| * Food: |
Best food of my life! Healthy in type and portions! If in San Jose, I recommend Casa Mundo and La Musa Confusa! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Besides San Jose, Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is the most memorable place for me as a lover of traveling. Every aspect of my ideal trip exists in Puerto Viejo: Shopping, nightlife, Spanish-speakers of African culture, clean beaches, non-touristic, relaxing, beautiful weather, cheap transportation, rainforest area, wonderful food, etc. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
N/A |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $80-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of all expenses with a budget sheet! It helps!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Stay with a host family and NO NOT be afraid to get uncomfortable! It is extremely tempting to speak English to all students from the United States, but speak as much Spanish as possible. Practice is NECESSARY!! |
| 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?
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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 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? | Do NOT waste time!! Take this opportunity while you still can! |
