It was fun, fun, fun Past Review
By A student (Biological Sciences, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/08/2012 with
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): San Jose - Tropical Biology on a Changing Planet
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica and a lot about issues in sustainability, ecotourism, etc. I got a feel for the field of field biology and I met amazing students with great ideas. I had a great time, overall.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program has a packed schedule, with lots of lessons and field trips. Work load manageable, but a little heavy during the two independent research projects/exam times. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in biological field stations. They are pretty basic, but perfectly comfortable. |
* Food: |
Basic, tasty diet, varies from station to station. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We learned about some aspects of the local culture in our lectures, but we were often a bit distanced from it. We did have a language/cultural course that lasted about two weeks that was a great experience! |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The few problems we had were addressed quickly. |
* Safety: |
We were well informed about safety issues both in the rainforest and in the city. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
* 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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* Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
* Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $5-10 |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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? | Advanced |
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | intermediate level course |
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? | Make local friends; the language school is near a lot of university campuses. |
Other Program Information
* 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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | Good hiking boots are a worthwhile investment (even though they can get pricey). |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |