Pura Vida! Past Review
By Jerica Skylar J (PSYCHOLOGY., Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 05/24/2014 to 06/21/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gained a sense of self worth and an intense itch to travel more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Mr. Martinez was a wonderful program director. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing. My tica moma was so sweet and humble to my roomate and I. |
| * Food: |
The food was tasty, but not as hot as I like it! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as if I was in a whole new world that I had to adapt to. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to get my ears cleaned out while abroad. It was easy with my program director assisting me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe in my host family neighborhood, but I did see a guy get robbed one night on the town. We were advised to not carry our passports on our person. Just be cautious. |
| 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) |
I wish I would have been able to bring more spending money. At least $500. I went to Costa Rica with about $200 I was able to get everything I NEEDED, but was unable to obtain what I WANTED. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much spending money as possible. anywhere from $500-$1000 |
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 |
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| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 wish I would have known to bring more money. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
