You Get Out of It...What You Put into It! Past Review
By A student (Telecommunications Management., Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 01/11/2014 to 04/26/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
My study abroad experience has transformed the way I think, the way I conduct myself, and my relationships with others. In my eyes, the world has expanded into a cornucopia of distinct cultures and peoples, and also has shrunk into a place I can tangibly explore in a lifetime. I have changed from the dreamer with abstract fantasies to the do-er figuring out how to make them realities. I have learned to be a better critical thinker by viewing my native culture from the outside and embraced a foreign culture and lifestyle. I continually remind myself that no culture is better than another—it is only different—and have sifted through and integrated the best of both cultures together in my life as a bicultural citizen. I have experienced being an outsider, in a minority of one, and realized it is revitalizing to be surrounded by people who do not look like you or think like you. I have learned how to be a relationship builder in other culture and another language. I have realized the power of the right words and the human connection with no words. I have even more compassion and patience for those who are foreign or outsiders. Because of this study abroad experience, I have been transformed into a do-er, a better critical thinker, a stronger relationship builder, and an ally for the outsider.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Search far and wide—you will find no better Spanish immersion program! Because the groups are small (20ish in your whole group), you can build relationships with all of them and many of the host families too! My host family treated me like part of the family, and always with love and patience. The program directors were dependable, always looked out for our safety and satisfaction with the program and went above and beyond their job descriptions. My friends in other programs wished they had found Sol because it is so much cheaper, has more excursions, and is like a family. The Spanish immersion experience is great because I would learn a grammar concept or new vocabulary in class, and go home that afternoon and use it with my host family. You get out of a program what you put into it, but this program has opportunities for everything you could want if you have the desire to learn. I never felt limited, like I wasn’t given enough opportunities. In this program, you are only limited by yourself. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had my own room, a comfortable bed, and the house was kept immaculately clean. Internet was painfully slow, but that is to be expected in many foreign countries. I went to the university when I needed dependable internet. |
| * Food: |
Most of the food that my host family served me was delicious! I had a bowl of fresh fruit along with my breakfast every morning, and my host family did a good job of variety, and not just gallo pinto (a traditional dish) all the time. However, I had some disappointing experiences with soups and it took awhile to kindly and politely help my host family understand they were giving me too much food (this is a cultural thing). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You get out of a program what you put into it. I sought out many opportunities to hang out with Ticos (locals) and spend quality time with my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When my program director took me to the hospital because VERY sick, she translated for me when needed and stayed with me the entire time. She made sure I brought the necessary documents and enough money ahead of time, helped me buy the meds, and ensured that I understood how to take them. I felt SO taken care of—she was as good a caregiver as my real mom would have been. Also, she took me to a private hospital so I wouldn’t have to wait a really long time for care (though public is free). The difference I saw between Costa Rican medicine and the US is Ticos don’t mind taking strong medication. Taking injections are popular because they work faster than oral meds, and they often prescribe meds that are quite strong, and honestly overkill. It is fine to take them for the duration of studying abroad and allows for quick recovery, but I would not take such strong stuff them all the time. |
| * Safety: |
Heredia, Costa Rica is safe during the day, and at night, you just need to take a cab to get around. Stay away from any bad part of town in San José, and if you must go there, go only in the daytime in a group with no valuables. The program does an excellent job of explaining how to stay safe, and only when students deviated from common sense did they get into trouble. Always take a cab after dark, always tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, walk with PURPOSE and CONFIDENCE (even when you don’t know where you’re going), listen to your gut when something feels off, and already have planned out what to do in the unlikely event that someone tries to rob you or get you to go with them to an unfamiliar place. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100, which was spent mostly on weekend excursions and trips |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a BUDGET. I limited my meals to $5 per meal when I went on weekend trips around the country--totally do-able. The beauty of budgets is you can conserve in some places so you can spend more in other places. RESIST the temptation to eat ice cream every time you go out. Try the special flavors unique to the country (guanabana, cas, etc.), but then no more! :) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate I |
| 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? | Carry a notebook with you and write down new vocab as you learn it. You WILL forget it if you don't write it down. |
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? | I would have made an even bigger effort to learn vocabulary. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
