Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living Tranquila Past Review

By (Strategic Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 07/07/2012 to 08/04/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Better language skills, appreciation of a new culture, new friends, a love of fried plantains with queso, how to cook new foods - it was absolutely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My school gave me very little information prior to the program and I was registered for a program that was way above my level. Luckily there was an intermediate option and SOL allowed me to switch classes, which ended up being a great fit and a good learning experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our director was helpful and organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mom was wonderful - she helped me feel comfortable speaking the language and made healthy, delicious food for my roommate and I.

* Food:

Loved the food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would have liked more opportunities to meet locals - I felt that we spent most free time with classmates from my home institution, which didn't help with language learning or cultural integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues.

* Safety:

Heredia is safe, but you need to take the same precautions you would take anywhere in a city, especially if you don't know the language well. Don't walk alone, and don't walk anywhere at night - you'll be fine.

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)

It's possible to this on a small budget - you just have to choose not to blow all of your money on alcohol, going out, seeing a movie every weekend and other extras. I got plenty of great cultural experiences without doing those things.

* 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? $50/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't waste your time or your money going out drinking all the time. Spend time with your host family and learn the language and culture from them. They sacrifice a lot to welcome you into their home - don't disrespect that by constantly going out to eat and generally begin out and away from their home. Eat their meals, spend time with them, and use your money for a couple fun outings.

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

I had to take a lot of initiative to use the language on my own, because most students spoke in English whenever they could.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200 level
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? Talk to your host family! Don't just speak to your roommate in English the whole time. And don't be afraid to make mistakes. The more you practice speaking out loud, the better you'll get. You will NOT learn the language without speaking it.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Practicing my Spanish
  • The food!
  • Getting to see the beautiful country
* What could be improved?
  • The communication of my study abroad office
  • Not letting students who didn't pay for the excursions do them anyway at a lower cost
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More Spanish

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.