Costa Rica was an incredible, life-changing opportunity! Past Review
By Nicole (Adelphi University) - abroad from 06/04/2016 to 06/25/2016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
This experience was definitely worthwhile! I loved meeting new people and learning about their culture.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The Sol Education program directors were great and they really helped us learn about the culture and experience Costa Rican life while also visiting different parts of the country as tourists. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 125 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of your opportunity to eat all meals with your host family! It's a lot cheaper and it's a great way to get yourself to try new foods and to bond with your host family. |
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 |
Our directors usually spoke to us in Spanish; they would only clarify things in English. I was also with a host family that did not know any English so I was forced to speak Spanish. However, my professor would allow us to slip into English during class and I wish he would've forced us to speak only in Spanish. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP Spanish (Level 5) |
| 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? | Don't allow yourself to speak English! You will find a way to say what you need to say in Spanish if you try hard enough! |
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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I knew how hard it really rained every day! I also wish I had a better packing list because the one I received seemed to contradict itself about whether or not I had to dress nicely every day. |
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! |
