Costa Rica- a place that I will forever hold close to my heart. ¡Pura Vida! Past Review
By Meagan Lamb (Georgetown College) - abroad from 01/16/2016 to 04/23/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
While in Costa Rica, I was able to see incredible sites and scenes that I thought only existed in magazines. During the SOL excursions and my free time from studying, I was able to see some of each of the 7 provinces of Costa Rica. From hiking around volcanos, white water rafting on top rated rivers, zip-lining through rain forests, learning to surf, or even horseback riding on the beach at sunset, SOL Education Abroad allowed me to create the experience of a lifetime!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I learned so much from my familia Tica! They showed me genuine love and treated me as if I was a part of their family. I always looked forward to coming home in between classes to have lunch with my mama Tica and play games with my hermanito Tico. My mama Tica gave me advice on anything from how to travel in Costa Rica to how to make the best gallo pinto or bring "Pura Vida" back to the United States. The hardest part about leaving Costa Rica was saying goodbye to my familia Tica! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I met many Tico friends at Universidad Latina. We started getting to know each other by playing games and asking questions, but as the semester flew by, we found ourselves traveling and growing with them as if we had known each other for a lifetime! We had a great time practicing our native languages and sharing about our cultures. Even after my semester abroad has ended, I still keep up with my Tico friends back in Costa Rica. |
|
* 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
With SOL Edication Abroad's program, I believe that you will get the most "bang for your buck." What initially attracted me to the program was that all of their excursions were included into the total price. Seems too good to be true, right? Wrong! It was great to be able to be involved in all excursions and cultural activities that the program had to offer. After deciding to study abroad with SOL, I was pleased to realize that my class schedule was rigorous and laid back at the same time. I was able to learn in the classroom and practice my language skills outside of the classroom with Ticos. Although I took a full semester's load of classes, I was able to travel around Cost Rica on my own and even spend days relaxing with my familia Tica. This program is extremely balanced and hands-on, which can be very comforting while adapting to a totally new environment! |
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? | Depending on how much cafecito I wanted, I spent $50 more or less each week. It was very manageable to keep myself on a strict budget but still be able to enjoy Costa Rica. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Give yourself a weekly budget! Then you know how many cafecitos or beach excursions you can take. Take large sums of colones out of the bank at once. That way you won't lose money from international exchange fees! |
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? | 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? | Spa 355 |
| 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? | I love listening to Spanish music! Not only do you get used to hearing the language, but your accent and ability to translate in your head will improve tremendously. |
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? | I wish that I would have prepared to leave a place and people that I felt became a part of me in 4 short months. It was incredibly hard to say goodbye! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
