Costa Rica; Amazing summer experience! Past Review
By Caitlin C (Psychobiology, SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Traveling - Tropical Forest Workshop
The experience was amazing. We lived for a month in the environment we were learning about. We were able to get a real raw Costa Rica experience by avoiding a lot of tourist traps and by living directly with local people and culture. I love to travel and this has only strengthened my desire to see more of the world. This trip also opened up my eyes to the severe impact development and population increase has has on the environment and why it is important for programs like TFI to exist in order to try and protect and save as much of the natural environment of the country.
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. |
The tests were very fair, they included the material we covered while hiking in different forests as well as lecture material. There was a lot of information for each test and our days were planned tightly. I felt that I could have done better on the exams if we had more time to study. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We were located in a small town about a half hour to an hour outside any cities. The events for each day were planned in advance and we were able to accomplish everything. I learned so much about the country itself and the environmental aspects as well. The program size was perfect, small enough to create strong bonds but big enough to meet a lot of new people. All my expectations for this trip were met and some exceeded. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived for the most part in cabins in TFI. The neighborhood was very safe and our cabins were routinely cleaned. Creatures had access to our living space which brought us all very close to the nature we were surrounded by. We did not need to by any items for living. On several occasions we stayed in other hotels which were good as well. |
| * Food: |
The food at TFI was home cooked for every meal. The food was traditional and we were able to help cook if we chose to. There was always enough food to go around. Restaurants and roadside stands also had traditional, but also Costa Rican twists on American classics such as the hamburger and were very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The non academic aspects of the program allowed us to take part in activities such as hiking, birdwatching, cliff jumping, swimming, watching television, relaxing, playing sports, exploring and more. When we had free time we were free to do whatever we wanted. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We attended a health consult prior to the trip which gave a lot of helpful information on what illnesses we may encounter and vaccinations to look into. Different people adjust to new foods and environments in their own ways. Some people, including me, became ill while adjusting to the food and environment but medicine suggested and provided before the trip was very helpful in addition to a first aid kid with basic necessities was available in Costa Rica as well. I felt very safe, however if anyone had gotten seriously injured in TFI the nearest medical facility is not very close. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | The amount of money needed was specifically laid out in a spreadsheet prior to the trip. We could have survived on the amount specified to bring, but I suggest bringing more. I suggest bringing American ten and five dollar bills only. Anything higher than an American ten dollar bill caused problems when exchanging for colones and paying for small items. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I suggest bringing more than the amount specified. Some extra purchases I made were for souvenirs, toiletries, medicine, snacks. One individual on my trip developed an ear infection and had to pay for a trip to a doctor and antibiotics. Bringing a debit card with some emergency money for rare cases such as this is a good idea. Even if you don't spend it, it is there if you need it. |
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Talk to students who have been on this trip already, they are the best source for information about the experience. |
