Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Livin' That Tico Life! Past Review

By (International Business., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/10/2014 to 08/23/2014 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As a student staying for the entire summer session, SOL provided me with a great opportunity to study abroad in a country full of wonderful people. I was super satisfied with the program, the excursions, my host family, and the guidance from and sheer awesomeness of the directors! I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Get over whatever reservations you have and live that PURA VIDA while you're here!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

My host family was AMAZING. They were super nice and treated me exactly like family.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living and taking classes with Costa Ricans for an entire semester allowed me to really capture the whole Costa Rican experience. Moreover, I made a few Costa Rican friends while I was there, so it was good practice talking to them all the time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare is easily accessible in Costa Rica. No worries there.

* Safety:

I was in Costa Rica for four months and only one person in my entire group got robbed. However, this guy was wearing a really nice wrist watch, which is a mistake in Costa Rica. I never heard of another situation like this during my stay, so it's safe to say that this inicident was a wrong-place-wrong-time incident. Much like the US, as long as you walk around in the right neighborhoods, you don't have to worry about anything, especially with the police presence in the country.

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)

All the meals at home are included, so any money you spend will likely be on snacks, souvenirs, or traveling on the weekends (if you stay longer than three weeks).

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? If you travel on the weekends after the first 3 weeks, which include excursions, you could spend up to $200/weekend.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at home as much as you can and stay at hostels when you travel out of the city.

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? Advanced
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? Fourth-Year High School Spanish
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? Talk to your host parents, their kids, and any other Costa Ricans you can.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Host Family
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More Spanish! Haha.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.