Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Decision of My Life Past Review

By (Psychology/Spanish, North Dakota State University) - abroad from 01/11/2014 to 04/26/2014 with

Sol Education Abroad - Study Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica at Universidad Latina de Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It will be everything you expected and it will also be everything you didn't expect. The directors go above and beyond their job description to give us this wonderful experience. While it would be so easy to work their 9-5 day and then go home to their loved ones, the directors with Sol put their heart and soul into what they do and make this experience bigger than life. Be present. Let yourself feel every emotion possible on the spectrum while you're here. It will all amount to a grand experience in the end. I definitely learned more about myself than I ever thought was possible.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Advanced Spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The excursions
  • The program directors
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It will be everything you expected and it will also be everything you didn't expect. The directors go above and beyond their job description to give us this wonderful experience. While it would be so easy to work their 9-5 day and then go home to their loved ones, the directors with Sol put their heart and soul into what they do and make this experience bigger than life. Be present. Let yourself feel every emotion possible on the spectrum while you're here. It will all amount to a grand experience in the end. I definitely learned more about myself than I ever thought was possible.

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 Adventurer
The 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.