Spring Break in Costa Rica ¡Pura Vida! Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 03/11/2017 to 03/19/2017 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I got more confident with speaking Spanish. I'm not afraid to mess up or say something wrong. I learned so much about Costa Rican culture, and I got to meet some really wonderful people. I got unique experiences that I will value forever.
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 |
The administrators for Sol Education Abroad in Costa Rica could not have been any nicer! They were all so helpful and enthusiastic. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the sweetest host family! They really helped me get more comfortable speaking Spanish. My mama tica always had plenty of food and coffee prepared for us. She did our laundry and made our beds. They even took us to a dance class and had a family barbecue for us on the first night! |
| * Food: |
The food in Costa Rica is delicious! Be prepared to eat lots of Gallo Pinto (rice and beans). The coffee is the best!! |
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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
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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) |
Most of your meals are already included or cooked by your host family. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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 host families only spoke Spanish and most of the tour guides would speak in Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | SPAN 201 |
| 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? | Practice speaking Spanish around your house and to your friends. You need practice outside of the classroom. |
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? | The Costa Ricans wear jeans everyday. |
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.' |
