A truly "Pura Vida!" Past Review
By Betsy Lake (Grand Valley State University) - abroad from 09/03/2016 to 12/17/0016 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
Totally worthwhile. My spanish improved so much and I was able to see so many new and different things. Studying abroad has made me want to travel so much more in my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
I absolutely loved my home stay. My host family was so welcoming and loving to me. They were the best part of my study abroad experience. My host mom and I would take different trips together throughout the provinces of Costa Rica. |
| * Food: |
For the most part I really liked the food. I ate a lot of rice and beans, every day. That got a little old after a while, but I know that is a part of the culture there. Also, I have some food sensitivities and allergies so at times I had problems with that. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I learned a lot about Costa Rican traditions and family. I do wish there would have been more volunteer activities and times available during the program for us to experience more cultural events. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to a clinic and a hospital after having a severe peanut allergy reaction. The facilities were clean and the doctors were great. I was really impressed by their health care there. |
| * Safety: |
I felt really safe in Heredia. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The best experience of my life so far. I absolutely loved studying abroad with Sol Education Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica. The adventures I was able to go on, all of the classes I was able to take, the wonderful host family I was able to stay in, the different Costa Rican students I was able to meet at my university, as well as other Americans all over the U.S that I spent so much of my time with....made this semester truly special. Study Abroad in Costa Rica! |
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) |
I would say a 4. At times I would spend more than a 100 a week but that usually was when I was doing extra traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between $50-100 usually. Give or take. |
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 |
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| 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? | Spanish 322 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I wish I would have a better idea of the area I would be living in. Sometimes I wish I could have chosen the Puntarenas location that was closer to the ocean. I was in a small city where there was a lot of American stores and a mall just across from my university. |
