Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

FANTASTICO! Past Review

By (California State University - Fullerton) - abroad from 03/26/2016 to 04/03/2016 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Using a 3rd party provider for the first time for our department we had a phenomenal experience. We are going to continue to do this into the future. We wish that SOL had a Thailand program for us to use.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The intensity of this 8 day program was incredible. Living with host families was amazing and learning about the Costa Rican culture in this personal matter was phenomenal. As the instructor I felt as though the tour guides/educators from SOL (Janiva and Fiorella) were phenomenal. They really knew how to direct the learning and personalize the experience. This was an incredible experience!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent! All the tours and activities were organized in a very professional manner.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Excellent!

* Food:

Great food at all the places we visited and particularly with our host families.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

100% integrated with our host families and our SOL educators. There was a seamless cross from what we learned at the host family homes and what we learned at our outings.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A couple of students had some health issues and there were many places to get support. It was a great experience!

* Safety:

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

I love the way that SOL organized the tours, activities and all the schools that we visited. I like that we spent several days at the agencies we visited. The host families were invaluable in this 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)

I was able to keep to my budget since most of our meals were planned out and very generously provided by host families and in our package.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pack as much as you can that you may need for any possible medical issue. Bring snacks to help you fight hunger in the airport because food there is very expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Host families
  • Janiva Siffuentes Hiss
  • Posada de Belen
* What could be improved?
  • More time to visit the main city
  • More time with host families
  • Visit the beaches
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I should bring more cool and casual clothes.

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 Linguist
You 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!