Costa Rican Cultural Experience Past Review
By Elizabeth Buchanan (University of Louisville) - abroad from 06/23/2018 to 07/14/2018 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I learned the differences and similarities between my culture and a different culture. It was definitely worthwhile and made me realize that I would like to continue to travel the world and experience different cultures on my own terms in the future.
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. |
The academic part of the study abroad experience was very hands on; however, it was more difficult to obtain resources for class projects in a foreign university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The academic administration in Heredia was very clear on what we would be doing and made sure we knew that they were there to help if needed it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was very accommodating and made sure I had anything and everything I needed to carry out the day at school and on weekend excursions. |
| * Food: |
The food was always delicious. I loved the home cooked meals my host mother made for me the most! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Costa Rican people are extremely welcoming and kind-hearted, and although I felt like a tourist at times, the people helped to make me feel like a true tica. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I would say the safety of my host country was similar to that of the United States. We were told not to go out alone at night, and to always be with a friend, which is what women are told to do in the U.S. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I feel as though I would choose the same program because it was easy to navigate and any help I needed was readily available to me. |
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 went into the program expecting Costa Rican prices to be a lot cheaper than American prices, and although that was true for some things, it was not true for everything, and I did have to transfer myself some money while there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cheaper souvenirs, clothes, etc. are bought from local places that you may find downtown or in smaller cities, not tourist-centered places. |
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 |
Being in a smaller city helped force me to use the language and to listen intently to what others were saying to me, plus our program directors and teachers highly encouraged us to speak 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Grammar classes |
| 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? | Talking with your host family is the best way to learn a new language, because not only do they speak it fluently, they want to interact with you and get to know you more, so they will help you in any way possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You will get homesick, and that's okay, because you will also do incredible things while you're away that you'll cherish forever. |
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! |
