Crazy beautiful wonderful, Costa Rica Past Review
By Laura C (International Business., Trinity University) for
ISA Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica
It was a wonderful experience no doubt. It taught me that the littlest things can have the biggest impact, it taught me to take chances, and try things I've never even thought to try. This is corny, but there will always be a special place in my heart for Costa Rica.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
ISA/ELAP had very good support when we were volunteering and outside of volunteering, the only 'problem' was that the office was about a 10 minute taxi ride. However I did not find, in my short time spent there, that I needed it all that much. Since the program is fairly new, paticence is a necessity, but it's absolutley a wonderful payoff. I initally had no expectations for the program, but whatever expectations I could have held would have been highly surpassed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my host family! ELAP/ISA did a FANTASTIC job. She was very patient with my limited Spanish, and very understanding. I did go out and experience the night life a lot, however she was very understanding and had the philosophy that I am responsible for what happens with regards to volunteering. In other words she didn't hold my hand and scold me for coming home in the wee hours of the morning. Since it was only two weeks, I didn't get an oppertunity to build a very close relationship with my host family, but close enough to where if I was to go back, I would request the same family. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was very accomidating, very respectful of what I did and did not like to eat. There is a pizza place.. can't really remember the name but it was about 2 blocks down from our bus stop and we'd go there a lot! Good, cheap pizza be sure to order off the menu! :) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I absolutley loved seeing the kids at school everyday. I couldn't understand them a lot of the time, but it was wonderful having 20 kids giving you a hug at the same time. :) I also loved our cooking class, we learned traditional Tico cusine. I also got the oppertunity to go canyoning (repelling down a waterfall backwards) on our weekend excursion in Arenal. SO FUN! Not to mention meeting a few VERY memroable people in the night clubs, and dancing until I was drenched in sweat. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My parents were pretty concerned about me getting something, but I was fine. But overall our program made us VERY aware of the safety issues to be aware of in Costa Rica |
| 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? | Our program gave us money to take the bus, and with our host mothers preparing meals (2 meals a day) the most money I spent was on souvineers (about 200 in total) but I bought bottled water to appease my parents and a few snack items to bring to work roughly about 60 per week not a whole lot of extra money though |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None of that... just be prepared to drop some dinero en effectivo en el mercado ;) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced mostly with my host family, and few people in San Jose. Because there were three girls in our program, and one was fluent, she would just translate for us. I did not really get the chance to improve the way I wanted to. However Ticos are more than willing to help you practice your Spanish. I had many positive interactions where they were very patient and understanding with my limited Spanish skills. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is very pasionate about helping others, you honnestly really can't go wrong with the program. |
