Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Pura Vida Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 07/25/2018 to 08/07/2018 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Graduate Internship Seminar: Cross Cultural Learning in Costa Rica in Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There are too many things to list. Most importantly, I learned to look outside of myself for advice on how to teach students. Go to PD workshops, search the internet, do whatever it takes to make your students feel like your classroom is a home away from home.

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

Dr A made this experience a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There is no one else I would have rather gone with. He made sure we were all exceedingly prepared and were all safe about how we proceeded into the country.

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? $200-$500

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 2 in High School
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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 people I was surrounded by
  • The food
  • The ability to learn on my own with help from Dr A when he knew we'd need it
* What could be improved?
  • NOTHING
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Honestly nothing. Everything I learned on this trip was something that I couldn't have learned at home.

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.