Everyone must experience! Past Review
By Kayla M (PSYCHOLOGY., Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 06/16/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
It was definitely worthwhile! I made a lot of new friends ad gained an international perspective.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Latina |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Full immersion helped me learn Spanish much quicker! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our directors were very helpful and always answered our questions on time. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was wonderful, they treated me like their own child. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being fully emerged into the culture was an amazing experience, I felt more connected with a different culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick twice during my study abroad program, my host family and a program director immedicately took me to the doctor to address my illness. |
| * Safety: |
Be smart. Don't walk around by yourself at night or carry around expensive items. Cabs are very cheap in this country, so getting home is much easier. |
| 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) |
|
| * 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? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring toiletries, they are most expensive in Costa Rica. Buy souveniers are markets where they are much cheaper. |
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 learned a lot by being placed directly into the culture, which makes me want to understand the language better. |
| 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? | 2 bachelors classes |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Bring old study materials as a study aid. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I wasn't so nervous and worried, it was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
