Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Pura Vida Past Review

By (University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 04/07/2012 to 06/30/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Traveling in general is great for a person and expanding their horizons, but studying abroad is absolutely incredible. You meet a million different people and actually get to feel like you are a part of a new culture. I gained a lot of confidence with my Spanish and had so many new experiences, that I know I am a better person now for having studied abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pick out the things you really want to do and set money aside for other little things that might come up. One of the main ways people spend too much money is going out to eat a lot and going for drinks after. If you can be slightly more conservative and only to that once or twice a week, you will be golden.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? SPA 304
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talking to your family is an excellent way to use the language. Granted, my family did not speak English, so I had no choice, but speaking with them made a world of difference in my confidence and ability to speak Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • I loved my host family!
  • The excursions were incredible!
  • The people at the CEA- San Jose office were the nicest people ever.
* What could be improved?
  • The food was never that great, but I think that is true in general in Costa Rica.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think if someone would have told me more about what the actual classes were like, I would have been less nervous.