Pura Vida! Past Review
By Joycelyn W (Spanish, University of Houston) - abroad from 05/16/2015 to 06/27/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
It is impossible to explain. Think Simba from the Lion King living with Timon and Pumbaa but real! Hakuna Matata has nothing on Pura Vida!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My head hurt from learning but it was the best headache in the world! The classes were small enough that individual attention was given to us without sacrificing the overall lesson plan. The professors tutored us after class if we needed it and the lessons were realistic. Often times in big classes you learn from a book with scenarios that would never occur in your day to day life but with a handful of students we could use creative license to make up a script based on what was just learned. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Angie, Jessie, and Genifa were absolutely amazing! They planned the best trips and were so personable all the time. We could discuss anything with them and feel like we were talking to an older sibling. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I shared a room for the first time in my life and it was not bad. My roommate and I had an en suite, walk in closet and private balcony. We were super lucky to have a mom that has such a beautiful home. My mama Tica, Martha is an amazing woman. It was like my birth mom in a Tica's body. Her food was AMAZING!! I like to eat and she liked to cook so we were a match made in heaven. Martha was super relaxed about us going out and only asked that we used our phones to let her know our plans. |
| * Food: |
I don't know how I did not gain weight. I love to eat and my mom loves to cook! Breakfast was almost always traditional with rice and beans, fruit, and coffee but our mom understood that we would be tired of that and made pancakes or eggs. Lunch and dinner also had elements of tradition with the occasional cake and tea only dinner or ice cream sundae lunch to put a smile on our face and allow us to decompress. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Every excursion had a cultural lesson mixed in. Touring the local market was not just "oh look there's a butcher" but rather included eating pan con queso and searching for native fruits for a fruit tasting after touring the main church. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any problems but during orientation it was well stated that our health and safety was the number one priority. |
| * Safety: |
Definitely keep a few small bills on you for taxis home but other than that I felt safe all the time. |
| 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) |
I did not bring all of my money at once but rather had my parents filter it to me on an as need basis. I spent most of my money during my last 3 weeks on souvenirs and personal excursions. I did spend about $4 a day on cold drinks from the coffee shops since the classrooms do not have central air but that was a personal choice. I could have easily frozen a water bottle for class. Dinner depends on your family and your plans. Some people ate later than others at home so it was good for them to buy a snack between or if they chose to go out and not come home until after dinner. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at home, take advantage of 2-for-1 days |
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? | Intermedio 2 |
| 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? | Don't stop speaking spanish! Even if you speak Spanglish keep incorporating the lesson you learn. Make a million friends locally to learn new things. Spend an equal amount at home too this is your best source of practice without feeling the added pressure of trying to blend in. |
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? | I wanted my family to leave the U.S. and come live with me in Costa Rica |
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! |
