Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing semester abroad Past Review

By (University of Northern Colorado) - abroad from 09/05/2015 to 12/19/2015 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
New persepective and a new language. It was absolutely worthwhile. From this experience, I gained new perspective, a new language to reach an entirely different target audience of people, life-long friends, and another family!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't really have any experience, negative nor positive, with the health care program.

* Safety:

As long as you are smart with your actions and aware of your surroundings, you will be fine. The program does a great job of debriefing you with what to expect.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved CR. The local people and my host family really made this an unforgettable experience.

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 is much more expensive than I anticipated. It is very comparable to the USA in terms of cost of food or entertainment.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Since all meals were included, I tried to limit the number of times I ate out. That said, between going out for drinks or appetizers a few times a week, I would say I spent 75-100 per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take advantage of the free meals.

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

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? I completed an advanced class 11 years ago in high school, but I was still at a very novicce level when I arrived.
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? Do the homework, take advantage of class time, and TRY as hard as you can to use Spanish, even when speaking to your other classmates from the US. Also, talk with your host families as much as possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living with my host family
  • Spanish class
  • EXCURSIONS!
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have been at a bit higher level of Spanish before I arrived, so I could have spoken more to my host family in the first month or so. They were very patient and wonderful teachers, but out early conversations lacked a bit of depth on my end.

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.