Waste of money Past Review
By jaime c (PSYCHOLOGY., Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 07/07/2012 to 08/05/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I learned where i will travel when I go back to Costa Rica. I believed that study abroad is a great experience, but the actual school ruined my experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We took a placement exam but classes were not structured due to placement exams. There were only two classes and people were at many different levels. There was a beggining and advance course but no intermediate lebvel |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Geneva was very unprofessional and did not treat anyone with respect. The guidelines and expectations were not laid out, but then would get in trouble if didnt follow. No follow through and no help with in the program past the immediate supervisor. Alex and Jessie tried to help as much as they could but limited with power. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In the brochure it states that everyone would be twenty minute walk, which i was excited for. I was placed an hour away from school and was required to pay for 4 buses a day to and from school. This was an added expense for me and not other students. I think sol should have provided the bus fee, to make it fair to all students. Also living in mercedes norte was not convenient for any activities and when the sol organization would drop me off in central to get a taxi to take home. My safety was of no concern to Sol. Arrangements need to be made for the students that don't live near campus. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was an amazing cook, and the experience of living in the home was what made my the study abroad program worth it. I was supplied with fresh produce and meals made for me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Integrated yes, but only because I put the effort to be. The program i felt didnt encourage, just encouraged fear. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No experience |
| * Safety: |
Safety was of no concern for students that didnt live by the school. You were on your own. After events I would be dropped at Central (which i was told not to go after dark) then had to get in a taxi to get home. Safety was not a concern of Sol |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200+ transport was an issue and overly costly |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring more money then suggested, because apparently they dont include daily living expenses that wer supposely covered in the fees. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | spanish 2310 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Well i would not go again, but would pay to visit costa rica. Would be less expensive and more experience. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
