Pura Vida: Best Experience of my Life Past Review
By nikki.moss.12 (Pre-med, Truman State University) - abroad from 05/26/2014 to 06/27/2014 with
College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): San Jose - Universidad Veritas
I gained not only a love of travel but respect for other countries and ways of life. Being immersed in the culture was a gift in itself. I also learned, from being alone in a foreign country, who I am and that was amazing to see!
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. |
This was a great experience. The classes were great and I learned a lot while also getting to experience the culture. They knew our time was short so they did not bombard us with loads of homework, however I think the work we did have was appropriate to our schedule! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the best host family! They made Costa Rica feel like home and I knew I could go to them for anything just like I could back in the United States. They truly were/are my family! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | at most 50 dollars, but that is on the high end. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saying very early and take more than you think you will need just to be safe. However, make sure to have your money spread out just incase something happens, that way you are not stuck with out your money! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish |
| 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? | Practice with the families in the country. That is truly the best way to learn the language. Even if you are not confident try to learn the language and speak it! People will help you so just give it a shot! |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I would have liked to know that I would have to speak the language in my house so I could have been prepared for no english. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
