Just do it!!! Past Review
By Tristan M (Spanish Language, Literature, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 05/16/2015 to 07/18/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Oh my gosh! This was the most memorable/legendary time of my life. I wish I had the opportunity to take another semester off and do it again(but I'm pre-med, so thats a nope). If you have the opportunity to study abroad you should do it, and if you're thinking about choosing the Sol program, you should definitely do it. So worthwhile and such an eye opener to how much bigger the world is than our little bubble that we sometimes choose to live in.
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. |
Teachers were great. Couldn't have asked for anymore help. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Janiva and Jessie(program directors) were a dynamic duo of awesomeness. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Mama tica killed it in the kitchen and was always a caring and positive influence towards school and my life in general. |
| * Food: |
I weigh about 210 the food was great in flavor, but I'm always hungry. That being said, mama tica did her best to keep me well fed, but they just don't eat as much as we do in the states. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was as integrated a gringo can be. But, ya know, I'm still a white guy in a foreign country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
No problems. Just use common sense and you'll be fine. |
| 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) |
Just be aware of spending. Its easy to spend a ton of money in the markets if you don't budget yourself. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 90-130 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take it easy on the bars during the week days, they'll be there on the weekend. |
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 |
Constant encouragement and help talking to the locals of Costa Rica. |
| 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? | Advanced Spanish Composition 2 |
| 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? | Try to find a group of friends in the program that are as interested in speaking the language as you are. Then only speak the language you are trying to learn. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | Nine weeks isn't as long as you think it is. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
