Costa Rica: Biggest challenge of my life, but so glad I did it. Past Review
By Julia O (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Carleton College) for
IFSA: Heredia - Universidad Nacional
I learned so much about the world and about myself. I am so much stronger for having done it.
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. |
The work was not distributed very equally. At the beginning I had nearly no homework, but then after midterms it seemed endless. There was a ton of group work, which could be good and bad. It was a way to interact on a personal level with Costa Rican students, but could be very frustrating with the language barrier and differing views of punctuality. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My on-sire directors were very kind, intelligent, helpful, and fun. I had an issue with my host family and they were so supportive and responsive to my concerns. I only wish that at times we were provided more information, for example I did not know which host family I was to be living with until very soon before I left for Costa Rica or many times I did not know what to expect for a trip or volunteer service until we were in the middle of it. Also I felt as though they could have been a little more patient with our language ability and nervousness during orientation. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had some problems with my first host family, specifically with my host father in relation to kindness and respect. He was very critical of my Spanish. (My mother corrected me as well, but in a very constructive and helpful manner. He seemed angry when I made mistakes and made me feel stupid). There was also a ridiculous amount of family drama with multiple deaths and hospital visits, so I switched families. My second family was more supportive of my language and were much more welcoming. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious, super fresh and well cooked. The fruit is especially amazing. However I ate very few vegetables, mostly only potatoes and cabbage salad. Also my families served me huge portions, even when I requested less. That was difficult for me, because I hate wasting food but then I was uncomfortably food after almost every meal, so from the start don't be shy to insist on less. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Rincon de la Vieja, La Fortuna, Tirimbina, Isla Venado, Thanksgiving dinner, and dance lessons. I loved them all, but especially the volunteer trip to Isla Venado. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Heredia is very safe during the day and I felt comfortable walking alone. However after dark, so around six, it started to feel more sketchy. I recommend taking the bus or a taxi at that point, and only a taxi after 8 just to be safe. Nothing happened to anyone on my program, but in the past American students have been mugged after dark. And do not take unmarked taxis. |
| 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? | $150 if I traveled somewhere over the weekend. I recommend eating your meals at home to save money, use the buses for transportation or walk, and stay at hostels. Make sure you bring your Costa Rican student ID to the national parks to get great discounts. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The price of the visa was hiked up while we were there. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 205: Composition and Conversation |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish with my professors, with my family, in stores, when traveling, with my directors, and with my Costa Rican classmates, although many people did speak English. |
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? | Costa Rica is not as welcoming as I expected after doing research on it. People are more reserved than I expected, so if you chose it be prepared to be really brave and really put yourself out there. |
