Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Total Immersion and Travel Experience Past Review

By (Spanish, Eastern Kentucky University) - abroad from 01/10/2015 to 04/25/2015 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more than just what I was taught in the classroom. It fed my passion and my brain while immersing me in a culture that I fell in love with. I gained real world knowledge I couldn't have gained any other way. It was more than worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I feel as if I learned more during my semester abroad with Sol than my entire college career. They balance classroom teaching with cultural teaching outside the classroom.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My administrators were one of the largest reasons I enjoyed my program so much! The administration was great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was better than living on campus! The housing was convenient and comfortable at all times.

* Food:

The food was delicious, whether it was provided by my host family or the program. I miss it already!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt completely immersed in the culture. I attended a local university, had the chance to take class with locals, lived with a local family, all while exploring the country as a traveler and not a tourist.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Luckily, health care was not necessary for me during the program. Host families were prepared to take care of minor illnesses and we were appropriately informed on how to handle a more serious situation.

* Safety:

No where is completely safe so we were advised to never travel alone and to always be vigilant. As long as you stuck to this rule and the curfew, our host city was safe.

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)

Costa Rica was very affordable to travel/live in. I spent about as much in Heredia as I would at home/on campus.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Always provide yourself with a cushion - you never know when you're going to have an unanticipated expense or you're really going to want that one thing you didn't budget for!

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

We were encouraged to speak Spanish with each other and use the language as much as possible in order to be fully immersed.

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? 360
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? Practice with your friends and professors! Friends are easy to converse with and professors are happy to help! Play online games to help you learn new vocabulary and brush up on your skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The host families
  • The excursions
  • The community of students and locals
* What could be improved?
  • Adding a backup soccer game for students to attend
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the cost of living in my host city and more about the exchange rate.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.