A Truly Life-Changing Experience Past Review
By Jade C (Global Studies, Missouri State University) - abroad from 01/04/2015 to 04/25/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I learned about Costa Rica, the world, and myself through studying abroad with SOL. Participating in this program was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All of the professors were wonderful! They were so kind and helpful! If I or any of my classmates ever had any trouble with a concept, the professors went above and beyond to help us understand. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The directors, Janiva and Jessenia, were amazing! They can answer any questions you may have, and if they can't, they will find the answer. They will go to great lengths to help students with any issues they may be having. They make sure each and every student has the best time possible during their study abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! They were so warm and inviting. They were very understanding that mine and my roommate's Spanish level was not ideal in the beginning of the program. My host mom helped us to learn Spanish and was extremely patient throughout the whole process! |
| * Food: |
The food is just so good. Gallo Pinto and fresh fruit are at the top of the list of incredible food I ate while in Costa Rica. My host mom always prepared the best meals, and it was all healthy too! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the local culture. Through all of the excursions, we talked with locals, ate local food, visited historic sites, and learned about the amazing history of Costa Rica! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
At one point during the program, I experienced pain in my upper-back. I spoke with the head director about it, and she pointed me in the direction of a local spa. She called them and made an appointment for me. I got a massage there, and it really helped me with the pain! |
| * Safety: |
I never had any safety problems in Costa Rica. I always felt pretty safe and was informed by the directors of preventative measures to take in order to avoid any potential dangers. |
| 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) |
Costa Rica is such an affordable place to study abroad! Just make a budget, and stick to it! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you don't buy all of your souvenirs at the very beginning of the program! You have a whole semester to buy things for friends, family, and yourself. Save money for trips beyond what the program includes! |
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 |
We talked with locals regularly on all of our excursions. We were also prompted to use Spanish while speaking with other students in the program so that we were fully immersed. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish II |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch movies and tv shows in Spanish. Use subtitles if you need them. Buy a book in Spanish, and translate any words you don't already know on the pages of the book. Talk to people! |
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? | I wish I would have spaced out my spending a little better because I was there for almost 4 months, and I did a lot of souvenir shopping at the beginning of the program. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
