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By Sierra E (Spanish Language and Literature., University of Colorado - Colorado Springs) - abroad from 01/11/2014 to 04/26/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Sol cares about you as a person, and not as a number. This was shown to me time and time again through how they found me the perfect host family that cared for me like their own child, the care put into the excursions and cultural activities, and the care my director had for our recommendations and us as people. She made custom cultural activities just based off of our personalities and preferences. I made lifelong friendships and was opened to another group of people in the world. I would do it over and over again if I could. I had friends from other programs telling me they wish they found Sol, because it is cheaper, with more excursions, and more care from the top down. You will feel comfortable and stretched to open your mind and beliefs, traveling in general will do that for you. With Sol you have a safe place to grow in the company of the best people who care about you. Please research all your options, because I know you won't find anything that competes. I hope if you have any desire to learn Spanish, you will consider Sol. It has done to me so much, and I'm confident it will for you too.
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 Sol classes are great, very minimal work load but I improved my Spanish a lot. The classes with locals, though, were very Costa Rican... and by that I mean very disorganized. I didn't like the University that much, but the ones provided by SOL were great, they put a lot of effort in it to make them good. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our director went above and beyond to give us the best experience, she became all of our friends while still maintaining her professionality. She wore a lot of hats, and flawlessly. She found cultural activities based on our preferences, and even help a mini workshop for us because she cared so much. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was one of the best parts of my experience. She prepared me 3 delicious, healthy meals a day, (which for a server in college, that's a big deal) and it amazed me how well we could connect. She was my friend, my encourager, my home away from home. |
| * Food: |
Healthy, delicious food. Not spicy like I like it, and generally less flavorful, but still really good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Heredia is the perfect place to be surrounded by locals. I was nervous before coming because I didn't want to be a tourist, but I really felt like I was living the life of a tico. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never got sick, but my director dealt with every minor sickness, went with us to the doctor to translate, woke up at 3 am for someone who got sick and treated every situation with care. |
| * Safety: |
Heredia is generally safe, as long as you don't walk at night. One of the students got robbed on my program, but they were outside at midnight, sitting down. I'm not scared to go on a run outside or go out by myself, though. |
| 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) |
$100 was my budget for every week, and it was easy to live off of that. Taxis are cheap, most of the money was spent on entertainment. |
| 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? | Have a little extra apart from your every week budget (I recommend 100 per week) for souvenirs, they have a lot of great things! |
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 |
We had to speak Spanish 100% of the time, no exceptions. I learned so much. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced |
| 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? | Just GO FOR IT! You won't learn if you speak only English, you get out what you put in. You may sound like a fool, but be okay with being wrong and let it motivate you to get better. Being surrounded in it for a semester, you won't have a choice but to get better, so might as well completely dive in! You won't regret it! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I knew that the program wasn't what would change me, it was me that would change me. You will get out what you put in, and you will change because you have the strength to. Travelling abroad isn't this magical experience, it changes people because it stretches them to do things they never thought they would. I would say to future students not to expect anything, but just bring an open mind to do anything and everything in the culture, and you will change in ways you didn't expect. |
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! |
