An adventure ride plus a new language Past Review
By Devilsthrill (BFA Creative Writing, University of Houston) - abroad from 12/26/2012 to 03/02/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gain knowledge and a few new friends. The best part was the new family I made.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The school I went to, Intercultura, works with students individually. It was nice how that worked out. I would have liked it more had it not interfered with some of my volunteer work. Still, I learned a lot of Spanish and that was why I came to Costa Rica. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I was worried that it would be complicated. But, it was not. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was as if SOL found the perfect family for me. I'll never forget them. |
| * Food: |
The food was okay at the homestead. It wasn't a big deal that someday's my host mom forgot I told her I was going out for lunch with friends and would kind of force me to take it... or how other days she's forget lunch all-together, I had a blast there (it was only a few times); and the blast and great memories were all that matters. I could have lived without the forcefulness. I'm a grown up. But, I get that it's how the culture is so it's all good. The food outside of the homestead was fantastic. I had the best burrito ever in the city that Ojo de Agua is located in. It was a "Mexican Eatery." I'd caution people that a lot of places will try to short change them. One guy that owned an Italian place across the road from my homestead ripped me off for a couple of bucks with a smile. I knew what he was doing, but figured he needed the money more than me, and just decided to never return again. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
At first, I made a bunch of friends through SOL and through Intercultura. But, as soon as that SOL group from my school left and the excursions ended, outside of my host family I didn't interact a lot. The Intercultura friends I had made left around the end of January too. The SOL students that went to U Latina had no interest in hanging out. I tried and was looking forward to making new friends, but it was okay. I went to Costa Rica to learn Spanish and did learn it. Also, because of all of the time alone I had, I ended up meeting a bunch of locals at bars and restaurants. It was cool to have conversations with locals in Spanish. A few ticos even bought me a beer. I wasn’t completely friendless for the last few weeks, one week a group of Australians came to my school and we kicked it. I got to celebrate their Australia Day with them. Prior, I'd been taking salsa classes at the school and was able to use my moves with them at a nice club near parque central. Then for my ultimo fin de semana, I paid for an excursion with Intercultera. Me and some other students from there went to Montezuma. It ended up being my favorite excursion. I especially enjoyed the idea of riding a large boat to get to an island to ride a smaller boat to get to a smaller island (Tortuga). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
One time I had a stomachache and my tica mom fixed everything with a pill. |
| * Safety: |
Heredia was cool and easy to get around. It's probably a bad idea to walk alone. And if you want to go places alone, it's a good idea to blend in and to not leave items visible from within your pockets. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
It was cheaper all and all to do this abroad trip than to take the classes in my city. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy everything you want. Set limitations. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
All the time. |
| 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? | Beginning Spanish (didn't remember a lot) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listen to your language, write in your language, speak in your language as much as possible. |
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? | That I'd have so much time to study. |
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! |
