Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

This was a life changing, amazing experience. Past Review

By (University of Houston - Downtown) - abroad from 05/21/2016 to 06/18/2016 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of cultural knowledge. Many things that I I didn't think about.

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 courses I took were great. The teachers were very interactive. The courses were challenging, yet interesting. The professors were always there to help and clear misunderstandings for me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was very helpful; there to resolve any conflict, question or concern, together side by side.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My family was the best!!! Always caring for me, they made me feel as if I were really a part of their own family. Great food and time spent together.

* Food:

Though my mom thought she wasn't the bet cook, I definitely think she was. Her food was delicious and always something different that the previous day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The culture is very different. Though there are many differences, I feel that the community and the people in that country are all very kind and social. I never felt scared to go out and get lost because there were always helpful people around.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in the city I was in. I heard that it wasn't as safe and to be careful but I never felt threatened by my surroundings. I will advice students to etch their surroundings just in case. And maybe to not go out walking at night, take a taxi, they're cheap.

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

There was a variety of things to do. We were exposed to many cultural things, the school and the professors were amazing. My host family was the best. And the guides, Karol and Rosia became more than just guides. They became our friends.

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? $100 a week on souvenirs and going out to have dinner once in a while, on taxis and bus rides.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Limit yourself to at most $100 a week. Exchange dollars for colones weekly. Don't do it all at once, that will help you manage your money better.

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? Fluent
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? SPAN 3301
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 a lot of time with your host family and local students at the university. Also, don't be embarrassed to speak Spanish

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • I liked how we were all treated by everyone in the program.
  • All of historical information we were exposed to.
  • The excursions.
* What could be improved?
  • The arrangement in some of the excursions.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew I SHOULD have taken a laptop. Also that we went during the winter time and it was going to be excessively raining.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.