A great experience in an outstanding program Past Review
By A student (Salem State University) - abroad from 05/21/2016 to 06/18/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I wanted to "re-boot" my rusty Spanish and was able to do so in the month that I was here.
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. |
This is such an excellent program! Sol has many staff in place here in Costa Rica who are available to help out at any time. And the Costa Rican people overall are so kind and open." |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got an infected insect bite while in Costa Rica. Sergio, our director, made an appointment and brought me to the clinic the very same day. My treatment at the clinic was very satisfactory. |
| * Safety: |
I feel very safe in Heredia, although we all follow common-sense guidelines such as travelling in pairs and using taxis at night instead of mass transit. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I have participated in a study abroad program through a university in the past, and my experience with Sol was far superior. |
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) |
All of our basic living costs along with 85% of the cost of weekend and afternoon excursions were covered by the initial program fee, so it would be easy to get by on the minimal cost. Almost all out-of-pocket spending was optional. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Including souvenirs and drinks or snacks at school I spent about $60 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just to divide your total budget by the number of days you have and keep your daily ideal in mind. I personally wanted to take a trip on our free weekend, so I included that in my budget. |
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 |
I took a Spanish class for the whole program, so I used the language throughout. |
| 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? | I was a Spanish major |
| 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? | Spend time talking to your homestay family and try to talk to local people as much as possible. Reading and watching Spanish TV or movies is also helpful. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That when Heredia was described as "cool" that was a tropical definition. I would not have packed so many jeans! |
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: |
Advanced Spanish I and II |
| Course Department: | Español |
| Instructor: | Ariana Alfaro Mejia |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
