Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Undeniably, the best experience of my life thus far. Past Review

By (Math Education, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 08/04/2014 to 08/17/2014 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Cross-Cultural Learning, Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was most definitely worthwhile! I had never been out of the country before, and this trip opened my mind to a new way of thought. I'd experienced different cultures within the United States, but nothing can shell shock you, and teach you, more than submerging yourself into a foreign country.

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? I spent a lot of money, but I planned to splurge. You could definitely do it on a minimum budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy your gifts all at once. It was easier to see how much money I had left once I bought all the gifts at the beginning. Also, learning to convert colones to dollars, and vice versa, in your head helps tremendously!

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

The instructor highly encouraged us to learn to say key words in Spanish. On bus rides, we would try to pick up new words by reading the Spanish-English dictionary together.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I had taken Spanish in high school, but I hardly remembered any of it.
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? Look up key phrases. "How much is this?", numbers, food, etc. The things that will get you through a country of a different language than your own.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Dr. Armstrong
  • The opportunities given to explore and experience the land for ourselves through numerous activities such as hiking, visiting schools, white water rafting, parasailing, ziplining, etc.
  • Witnessing the difference between individualistic Americans and collectivistic Ticos.
* What could be improved?
  • Not working with the same groups every time. I think groups should change. I didn't always work well with my groups members and I think it was because we needed to change our groupings every so often.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How fast it was going to fly by. This program was rated #1, and I couldn't agree more with that rating! Dr. Armstrong is the perfect man for the job. He challenged us, motivated us, pushed us, and made us feel like one big family. Thank you SFA for the opportunity.

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.