BEST FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE Past Review
By Alicia B (Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography., Rollins College) for
Rollins College: Traveling - First Year Field Study: Costa Rica
I had an amazing time and am so blessed to have had the group that I did along with my professor Barry Allen. I really do think this trip changed my life. I am very respectful of nature now and am cautious of the negative impacts that I may have on the environment. I learned Spanish, and now know a lot about different species of exotic animals and why they are important. If I could do this all over again, I most definitely would!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was great, you start to understand what you read before the trip once you get there. The only thing i did not like about the trip were the bugs. But you cannot really stop that. Oh, and La Ensenada should be replaced for another place. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything went smoothly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not like the bugs in some places. Monteverde was the best! |
| * Food: |
rice and beans! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Loved just taking in the culture everywhere we went |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt really safe, even up the steep mountains with no railings! |
| 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? | my whole trip was paid for. I bought a couple snacks which was about $10 total |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | i like to shop so i ended up spending around $200 |
Language
| 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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Bring Bug spray. Any person that loves the outdoors would love this program. |
