"Pura vida! San Jose Costa Rica!" Studying abroad in Costa Rica gave me confidence! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Spanish grammar was extremely detailed. I was able to review aspects of the subject that were ignored by my professors in the United States. A few of my Costa Rican professors worked with me individually to perfect my accent. They pointed out errors which my teachers back in the United States did not even realize was a problem.

On-site administration of your program

The professors were all friendly and knowledgable. They had worked with foreign students many times before so they knew how to relate to us.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I greatly disliked my housing situation. My host mother was Catalina Robleto-Gonzalez. She was unfriendly and thought of the students as only a source of income. The place was like a bed and breakfast instead of a real home. She did not care when we left or returned. She threw my roommate out of the house over a mix up in communication and I was afraid of her.

It would have been extremely helpful to have lunch provided. Eating breakfast at 7:30am and dinner at 8:00pm was too long of a time to go without another meal.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Each time I took a class, the professor took the whole class on a cultural field trip. I went to see an orchestra play at El Teatro Nacional, went shopping downtown, saw cultural dances at a restaurant in the mountains, and even went to a nightclub. The professors wanted to show us their city and what Costa Rica was all about.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never personally needed health attention. My roommate got a rash and an ISA faculty member went with her to see a doctor and translate for her. San Jose was a dangerous city for foreigners. Many students were robbed outside of Veritas and held up at gunpoint. I lived far away from my friends and their host families so I had to often walk alone. I was afraid.

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

I practiced with the other students in my class and some of the Costa Rican students I met at Veritas. I used Spanish to talk to my professors and all employees in the school including custodians and cafeteria staff. Most people did speak English because the levels of Spanish of all the students was so greatly different. Some were just beginning and others were fluent.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Americans