Best Time of My Life (And I have a Really Good Life Already) Past Review
By Ben C (Geography, University of Mary Washington) - abroad from 01/10/2015 to 04/25/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Oh lord, I gained/learned so much. About myself, my place in the world, about how many opportunities there are for joy and happiness and trying new things in the world. I learned about how my country looks from a distance, and I learned which direction I would like to lead my life. Thank you Jessenia, Janiva, Esteban, Brent, the Cruz family, and everyone at Sol Education Abroad who really led me through a great period of my life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I could not have had a better educational experience than my time with Janiva and Jessenia, our two program directors. They are leaders, teachers, mentors, and friends. The country and local area are some of the most hospitable and beautiful I have seen. The excursions we were taken on FAR surpassed my expectations for what I would be included, both in their depth and their educational capacity. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Cruz family in Heredia and I still talk on WhatsApp almost daily and they are planning on coming to the States this December to visit me! They truly are my family. |
| * Food: |
The food made by my host family and all around Costa Rica is some of the most delicious food I've had. I knew that there would be some new fruits and veggies on the menu, being in the tropics and all, but I had NO idea that so many different fruits existed that I had NEVER heard about! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was so easy for me to acclimate to the local culture, especially with such good guides, directors, and fellow students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * 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) |
The estimate given by Sol was fairly accurate about how much student may end up wanting to bring. The program itself however, including all of our excursions (even to Nicaragua), room, board, tuition, was all cheaper than a semester of the same at my home university. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $35 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy gifts for your friends and family back home earlier than you think you need to! |
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 |
100 percent. We were encouraged from day one to only speak English when absolutely necessary, but as there were many students whose Spanish proficiency was less than conversational, all of our important instructions, plans, tips, and explanations were said in both Spanish and English. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 318: Conversation and Literature. |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes and sound 'stupid'! You'd have never learned to walk if you hadn't first crawled, so just speak as much as you possibly can and you will be surprised how fast you can catch on. Hanging out with your host family can teach you so much more than you would imagine. Look for clues, like when someone leaves the room and says "ya vengo", you will soon realize that they are saying the equivalent of "be right back", all from just the situational clues. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Before going on the program I wish I had known to save a little more money than I thought that I was going to use; that way, you don't have to owe your parents when you get home! |
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 NetworkerAn 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. |
