Amazing, fun, and exciting! Past Review
By Maddy E (Newbury Park High School) - abroad from 07/06/2014 to 07/26/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
More Spanish, that´s for sure. Also gained some friends and an amazing experiance.
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. |
It wasn´t intense which was perfect and made it so that it wasn´t stressful and you could enjoy your learning experiance |
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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 loved my host family |
| * Food: |
My host mom made amazing food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
A tiny bit more integration might have been nice, but there was still a good amount |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt totally saffe going around the park or going to get ice cream at around 8pm and still at 9pm when looking for a taxi to go home. |
| 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? | It depends on how much I went out during the week, but not very much. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just eat the food that your host family gives you and don´t go out to eat too much. Also, while taxis are really cheap, taking them all the time adds up so walking can be better |
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 |
Even my host family made me speak in Spanish with my roommate sometimes |
| 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? | Spanish 2 CP |
| 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? | Talking to your host family a lot really helps, also pay a lot of attention in class and really try. |
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? | How much fun it was going to be, also to take my camera with me more often |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
