A wonderful experience I will never forget (PURA VIDA) Past Review
By Ellen Acheampong (Salem State University) - abroad from 05/14/2016 to 06/25/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gained a lot from this experience.
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. |
Best academic experience ever. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love my host family very much and they love me as well. They are the best for showing me such kindness. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The culture is just like my culture back home, I had no problems coping with it. My tico friends also helped me a lot. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was the best way for me to study a different language and I am actually planning on traveling again with Sol next summer together with my sister. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 dollars because I don't like to spend much. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just don't buy anything you see. Because you might get it for a cheaper price elsewhere. Try to be a regular customer so that you get good deals. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | English |
| 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? | Always try to communicate with locals especially with what you just learnt in class. Most importantly, never cease to communicate with your host families. Don't be embarrassed if you make mistakes. We all learn from our mistakes. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Spanish |
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! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Beginners 1&2 |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Adriana Gamboa and Leticia... |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | These courses were more than what I expected. I just loved them. The professors did great jobs in delivering these courses. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
