SOL Heredia Costa Rica one month summer Past Review
By Victoria T (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Salem State College) - abroad from 06/01/2014 to 06/30/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Learned about cultural differences, improved my Spanish.
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I think my experience would have been better with a different host family/mom. My intereaction with my host mom was mostly meals and we never spent alot of time together. Also it was only her living in the house. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Spent alot of time with fellow Americans and didnt make Costa Rican friends, but talked to alot of Costa Ricans mostly at bars. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a bad experience getting sick one night which was made worse when i had trouble communicating with my host mom the next day. She wanted me to attend class and didn't understand how sick I was, so I ended up walking to school, the grocery store, etc. with her. My SOL supervisor was helpful in communicating with my host mom and making sure I got medecine, however. And my teacher was understanding of my absence. |
| * Safety: |
I did not feel unsafe in Heredia, even at night or when on my own in the day. |
| 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) |
|
| 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? | Avoid buying imported goods like clothing (tempting because there is a mall across from the school) as they are more expensive than in the US. |
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 |
|
| 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? | 201` |
| 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? | Speak to other american students in Spanish. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Local stlye and how to make friends and meet locals. |
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.' |
