I Must Go Back! Past Review
By Shantiana S (PSYCHOLOGY., Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 06/08/2013 to 07/06/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
My entire experience was worthwhile and it makes me see things a little differently. This trip broaden my horizons about life and it made me realize how much I loved traveling and learning and meeting new people. Not only did I learn more Spanish but I gained a connection to my host family, directors, and to my professor from Latina de Universidad. I was able to see and experience a part of the world I can tell others about. When you travel, you get to see another culture through your eyes and you get to learn how others see you. The people I met in Costa Rica were very sweet and caring. I am still pursuing my goal to be fully bilingual one day and a mastery of Spanish. Its pretty awesome when you can communicate to people in two or more different languages.
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 educational experience was great!! There was a lot to be learned living in the country and learning the language. It was intense for me but you find that you keep hearing the same words over and over and before you knew it, |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved our Directors. They were always so helpful with everything and I was able to get to learn a lot about them and from them. There were many times I need help with certain things like cellphone or was confused about where to go and how to do something and they were always there for me. When I could not explain something fully to my host mom that was of importance (like something with a field trip or when I went to doctor), they would be happy to help. They have also inspired me to stay connected to Sol Education. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living arrangements were great! I did not have any major problems at all. It was very clean and my host family was very welcoming. Learning to take a shower was tricky with the water system and remembering to put the toilet paper in the trash took some time. But nothing that I couldn't handle! I had my own bedroom and closet and there were times I spent time with my host family and there were times when I hung out in my room. I lived with my host mom and dad and their granddaughter who is going to school for medicine. |
| * Food: |
Sometimes it takes time getting use to food that you are not familiar with. I tried everything I could. I didn't focus on eating fast food because I wanted the experience. As with anything, I found things I really liked and enjoyed and things that I would not try again. I loved my host mom's fried fish and her pancakes haha! There are tons of fruits in Costa Rica. We went on a scavenger hunt for fruits and vegetables and tried many things. My favorite fruit was Mamon Chino. The fruits were much sweeter than fruits in the United States. The ketchup there was very sweet too- almost tasted like jelly to me but not all my classmates felt the same. The food was very fresh regardless if I liked it or not. Definitely try all that you can! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt totally integrated! No doubt about it. I lived life day to day but had to do it by communicating in Spanish every where I went. I was nervous at first but I gained the confidence I needed from my professors, directors, host family, and peers in order to get around comfortably on my own. There was a lot of focus of being apart of the culture and I am grateful for it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick right before going to Costa Rica and had to go to the doctor about two times in Costa Rica. It was hard due to the language barrier and trying to communicate what was going on with me. The program did their best with finding me a doctor and there was point where I saw a doctor outside of my network and there was paper work that had to be filed. The money or copay that was going on was frustrating because of the type of insurance I had. I found it hard to find a pharmacy that carried the antibiotics that I needed. So we had to keep walking and looking. It did not seem as smooth of a process as I normally would go through in the United States. That simply could have been because of my situation, the language, and the type of coverage I had. However, the directors and my professor from Texas States did wonders at helping me. I did not need any vaccines before going. It was an experience and as always I learn a lot. The support that this program brings makes a big difference. |
| * Safety: |
Overall safe! Just don't go walking around at night by yourself for no apparent reason. Know where you are going and go there. Practice being safe wherever you go. |
| 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 is better to prepare for unplanned expenses. I had thought I would be okay with $300 but I think $400-$450 would have definitely been better. This just gives you room to buy extra things or if something comes up and you have to end up buying things that you didn't necessarily plan for. Costa Rica, depending on where you shop is a little expensive compared to where I could go in the United States and find certain things cheaper. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I think I may have had about $330 the entire trip and I became really low on money. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money and make sure you come with enough. Just know that if you do not have a lot of extra money to bring, you will be fine and you will survive as well. Make sure you utilize all the meals that are provided by the plan and not go eat out all the time because it can be expensive. And try to plan ahead with things you may need according to the environment and your own personal self. |
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 |
The program always encouraged us to use the language. We were even required to speak Spanish to our peers even when it was easier to speak in English. We had to speak to our directors in Spanish too! |
| 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? | SPAN 1420 (its like a beginner level 2 Spanish class) |
| 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? | Before I went, I started putting sticky notes over all my things to help retain memory of what each object was in Spanish. I also studied basic phrases and I was also taking a Spanish Class. Watching movies and listening to podcast and radio shows will help adjust your hearing a little more and allow you to pick up on more words. You'll start hearing so many words repeated. Don't be afraid. It seems intimidating at first trying to only speak Spanish to someone who you are just meeting and maybe you know a lot of Spanish or maybe you don't but it will all be fine. Just keep an open mind! You can never get enough practice. |
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 had of planned to stay an extra week- I was not ready to go. I wish I had of brought my tennis shoes and less clothes. I also wish I had of brought just a little bit more extra money. Overall, I'm still happy about my trip but that is what I would have changed if I knew because I made sure I got the best out of everything and opportunity that was given to me on the trip. No regrets! |
