OTS Tropical Biology: A ton of work, but the most amazing experience of my life so far. Past Review
By Jordan H (Biology, General., Trinity University) for
Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): San Jose - Tropical Biology on a Changing Planet
Definitely worthwhile. I now have better time management, and a clearer understanding of the research and scientific paper writing process and I got to do/see so many things that I would have never seen in a traditional university setting. In terms of career plans, I now know that field research in the tropics isn't what I'm cut out for, but even after living and breathing biology for the entire semester, I still enjoy it, so I guess that's a good sign!
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. |
I gave this a 5/5 because I learned a TON. Many times the class schedule was extremely hectic and sometimes seemed unneccesarily busy. Also, I don't feel like we were given sufficient time to prepare for exams or write our independent project papers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It depends on the place. My host family was wonderful! However, some of the field stations we were in had very small rooms for 5-6 people and had barely enough room to put our suitcases. Be ready to live out of a suitcase for 3.5 months, except for the 3 weeks at the homestay. Also, sometimes the bugs can be really bad and there is no air conditioning, so it can get really warm and uncomfortable in the stations. |
| * Food: |
Not much choice on where to dine. The dining hall was the only place that had food at the stations. They were very accommodating to dietary restrictions for vegetarians, allergies, prepared bland food for me when I was sick, etc. The best food was at the Monteverde station, it was amazing. However, some of the stations only had mediocre food. it never was bad, just it wasn't always great and we ate too much rice and beans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There weren't many non-academic aspects. However, we did have more freedom during our homestay in which we got to experience the nightlife in San Jose as well as go on trips on the weekends. we went to Tortuguero , which wasn't my favorite, but we also got to go whitewater rafting and visit and island on the Pacific side. The rafting was awesome! I would highly recommend it. Also, the mini vacation we took at the end of the program was a lot of fun as well. By then we were pretty much all really good friends, so it was a good "last hurrah". |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did get sick with stomach virus which was pretty awful, especially since it was during our first independent project and midterms so I had to get up and do all the work like everyone else even though I felt like crap. However, I went to the local clinic after a few days and got some perscriptions that helped immensely. A few other students got sick/injured too and the TA and professors were very concerned and did everything they could to help them heal. |
| 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? | At the stations I spent hardly any money since all our food was provided. Maybe $20 a week. At the homestay it was more, especially with the traveling on the weekends. More like $120-$150 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Casadas are really cheap, $4 for a large meal. Also, "sodas" (small restaurants) are inexpensive too and usually have good food. |
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? |
We only had a 3 week homestay, and unfortunately I didn't have many opportunities to speak with my family because there were many other students from abroad and the family was busy. I did use Spanish in everyday interactions such as in stores, restaurants, taxis, etc. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | be prepared for a lot of work, for roughing it in the rainforest without the amenities you might be used to, for amazing experiences (seeing sloths, boa constrictors, howler monkeys...and that's only between the dorms and the classroom)and meeting great friends from around the country. |
