Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best thing that has ever happened to me. Past Review

By (Environmental Science, Metropolitan State University of Denver) - abroad from 07/04/2015 to 08/07/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was very scary for me at first because I had never left the country before and I traveled alone. But once I got there and met everyone else I calmed down. I made SO MANY amazing friends that I will be keeping in touch with and adventures I will never forget. Im more than thrilled that I actually had the guts to do this.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They all were so great! They were always very helpful and understanding.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my Ticamama. She was amazing, and so are her kids. I'm going to miss them all dearly.

* Food:

She was very accommodating to our individual needs. Her food always tasted really good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health problems.

* Safety:

I never experienced anything but other students had run ins with people trying to take their things.

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)

2.5

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about $40 a week eating out.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't think that because it's in Central America that it's cheaper. The actual merchandise is more expensive than at home. Their clothes from the mall were even more expensive. SAVE SAVE SAVE.

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

They encourage you to use it everywhere. Even at my Mamatica's home she wanted us to only speak in spanish.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I didn't take any courses.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? The best way to learn any language is to stop using your own language and just force yourself to use their language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The people.
  • The food.
  • The culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing.
  • Nothing.
  • Nothing.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money I should have saved up and I wish I would have looked into the culture more than I did.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.