CIEE Tropical Ecology and Conservation: Months of pure amazement for the world around you. Past Review
By Tess H (Anthropology., University of Colorado - Boulder) for
CIEE: Monteverde - Summer Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Yes. It has completely opened my mind to others around the globe. I use the information I learned about the world around us everyday, making positive changes within my own life and the lives of the people around me.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Tough and extremely rewarding work load. Everything is also extremely relevant. Learn about the rainforest, while living in the rainforest? It gets no better. Programs creates conscious and caring global citizens. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had multiple orientations at every location (the program moves around Costa Rica). We were given maps, and went on orientation hikes. We met important locals in every area, which helped us to make friends quickly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Did not need to buy any items when arrived. We live inside our biology station and when we are on field trips we are living side by side with our teachers, so class is all around us. When living in the home stay we had to walk to class. Nightlife was a walk away. |
| * Food: |
Food was excellent, all by local chefs. Home made and amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our field trips and events were indescribably amazing. We had field trips included in the program, as well a non-stop amazing suprises in some of the most beautiful places in the world. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
City was extremely safe, we felt very comfortable and well-recieved. On the field trips our teachers and guides we wilderness trained, and when we were deep in the forest we had at least a horse for quick transportation just in case. The teachers were also in great communication with park rangers. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My Spanish excelled. We had a home stay as well as a lot of interaction with the locals. Everyone agreed their language skills improved, even in one summer. |
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 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? | Be prepared to be mentally and physically challenged. Go in with an open-mind, and enjoy every moment. Focus on your studies, because they are so vital for the success of our planet. You will leave as a defender of nature. |
