Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

This summer changed my life. Past Review

By (Athletic Training/Trainer., Lynchburg College) - abroad from 06/22/2013 to 08/03/2013 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My life has changed. I gained the Pura Vida attitude, a new family, new friends, and tons of new stories. Yes, it was so very much worthwhile.

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.

The intensity and rigor of the program could have been heavier, but overall, I learn a large amount of Spanish grammar.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Amazing. These people really went above and beyond their outlined duties to give us the experience of a lifetime.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family may have been my favorite part of the entire trip.

* Food:

Beans and rice for days! If you like that or if you like the best, freshest fruit you'll ever eat in your life, this is the place to go.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was a minority, but welcomed nonetheless

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Big city, and like in any big city, you are vulnerable to crime if you don't pay attention.

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)

100 per week unless we stayed at a hostel or someplace for a long weekend.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't use taxis during the day. Save taxi money for night time. Otherwise, use the daylight hours to walk or use the buses.

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

Yes, we were surrounded by it.

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? Beginner Spanish II
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 with as many locals as you can, whether it be the bar tender or the taxi driver.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Family
  • Dancing and culture
* What could be improved?
  • Health
  • packing list recommendations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Six weeks flies by.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Spanish I

Course Department: Spanish
Instructor: Marco
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I learned to present conversational pieces in Spanish using a variety of different tenses. We were evaluated by class participation, an oral, a presentation, a midterm and a final.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Spanish II
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Learned more tenses and became confident in writing essays in Spanish.
Credit Transfer Issues: