A necessary evil Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Intensive courses, but assessments were simple

On-site administration of your program

Good job, local ISA office :-)

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

From my evaluation survey for ISA: I learned a few new words from them and chatted every so often when they seemed interested // One crappy overhead fluorescent light; I had to buy a $10 desk lamp to make desk tasks easier on my eyes. // Family never really liked me, confronted me frequently on my eating habits (why don't you like beans, why do you cook popcorn that way, are you sure you know how to use the [american manufactured] oven) // hot shower, reliable toilet... [positive] // very cold, quiet place; Olga [mother] has a serious narcolepsy or sleep apnea problem: when son and she showed me the streets and sights of downtown San Jose, she slept through it all, in broad daylight; and when my wife came to visit, Olga fell asleep during the short picture slideshow of our wedding. She frequently fell asleep at the weirdest times and places, including while washing dishes and doing laundry... very unhealthy and it clearly made her distant as well as slurred her speech - she never spoke clearly, even though she knew I couldn't understand her nearly as often as I could any of her clear-spoken relatives // only Noe [father] would eat with me on occasion. But when no one ate with my wife and me, after repeated requests that the extended family dine at least once with me while my wife was visiting, I gave up on trying to integrate myself into host family meals - they certainly weren't trying to do that. I did get to go to daughter Olga's wedding, although they tried to make me stay an extra two hours after the reception had ended while they waited for the party company to pick up the tablecloths and other decorations. I said please either send Sergio [son] to get me (because he had taken some other relatives home) or find me a cab. It was 1145 pm before I got home, and the company didn't show until like 1230 AM. Thank God I didn't wait. // Safe place, safe neighborhood [positive] // 15 minute walk to the university, even though very few students I knew lived in Barrio Cordoba // I was rarely "hosted" in any sense of the word, but since I had lots of studies and never really had money or interest to interact with the younger students, I just rode out my time, suffering a little in order to enjoy getting back to my own home and families more. Oh, and Noe, BREAD AND CEREAL ARE NOT CONSIDERED A COMPLETE BREAKFAST. The one day I asked for a scrambled egg, he was reluctant to make it. Thank goodness there was a McDonald's not too far away for those mornings when I needed a more balanced, protein-rich breakfast.

Rice and beans all the time gets old. Fast.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Didn't have a lot of money to spend, and UVeritas' "Tico Mentors" were not responsive to my repeated requests to get involved with them.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Don't remember anyone having trouble with the healthcare system. Although I believe that it's a lot better (almost free?) in Costa Rica...

Quite a few of my [stupid/ditzy] female program-mates had cell phones and cameras stolen, but I never had an issue; San Jose's a big city, so just keep your stuff close to you, wrap bag straps around chair legs, you'll be fine...

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I didn't have ANY money. Thankfully I was able to get food almost every meal at home, even though it was crappy most of the time.

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

I got a little better at my Spanish, although I was the second-best speaker in the entire group of international students, so their poorer Spanish skills held me back.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Howling back at Congo monkeys in the mangrove forest by Tamarindo Beach
• Teaching a bit of ice hockey rules to my host father and brother
• Going to the Children's Museum with my wife

• My host family needs to stop being a host family
• ISA and UVeritas need to schedule some extracurricular clubs and activities that don't conflict with afternoon electives (I had these Mon-Thurs)
• UVeritas needs to integrate local students/mentors better