Hard at times, but necessary for my continued growth as a person. Past Review
By Will P (International Commerce, Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 08/30/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I don't think there's a single person in our group that didn't make some serious realizations while here. It'd be a joke to try to sum it up on this review.
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. |
Classes are easy to get good grades in, but are set up in a way that is very conducive to learning |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Janiva is a coordinating genius. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family was wonderful and very understanding. |
| * Food: |
I was provided with 3 hot meals a day |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was as integrated as I allowed myself to get. Made several local friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had zero health issues but when other kids did, Janiva helped them through the doctors office. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
You could make it through the entire program having only spent like $150, but it would be quite boring and you'd have nothing to do or explore on weekends. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$100 |
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? | 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? | 202 |
| 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? | Don't stress. It's not as hard as you think it will be. |
