My Semester in Costa Rica Past Review
By Madi Stuart (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 09/07/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gained a much higher level of confidence in my Spanish.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My program boosted my confidence in my Spanish while immersing me in the rich culture of Costa Rica. The academic program was not as rigorous as I had expected but I do believe that in the grand scheme, that was better because it allowed me to deal with the difficulties of living in another country without the stress of a normal college homework load. |
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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
I loved how helpful Sol was from when I first applied to when I got home from my semester. They care so much about making your study abroad experience as successful as possible. |
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 will say that Costa Rica was more expensive than I had expected, especially when I travelled for a weekend. But those were all personal trips and that stuff is really up to you! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be realistic about how much you want to travel, go out with friends, etc! Pretty much every time y'all will hang out will be revolved around food. |
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 |
| 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? | Speak with your host family, speak Spanish with your friends, watch Spanish shows, listen to Spanish music |
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? | Self care is so important! |
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.' |
