Costa Rica - My "pura vida" study abroad Past Review
By Morrissa B (Spanish, University of California - Berkeley) - abroad from 01/16/2016 to 04/23/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Studying abroad is absolutely worthwhile. I had an amazing time and couldn't have wished for anything more. I wish it could have been even longer!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sol is great! They helped me along every step of the way (from pre departure to my last day in Costa Rica). The coordinators and all the students in my group were like family. It's truly amazing that I made such good friendships while here. In addition to learning the language and culture of Costa Rica, I feel like I learned just as much about my own country by being with such a diverse group. Absolutely amazing! My experience was everything I wished it would be and then some. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Everything is absolutely delicious! I probably enjoyed the food the most out of my whole experience! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program offered classes with locals and this helped a lot to fully immerse myself with the culture. |
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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) |
Save money for traveling on the weekends! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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? | 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 literature courses |
| 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? | Practice with friends! It might seem weird but it is really the best way to keep up with your language learning. |
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? | Spend as much time as you can at school, talking with students in the university or in the program. Some of my best memories were just talking with other students. |
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! |
