Studying in Costa Rica was incredible! Past Review
By Isidra R (BS Biology EEB, SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Traveling - Tropical Forest Workshop
It was really worthwhile, it made me a more independent and more confident. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about tropical ecosystems and want to experience something new.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I did a tremendous amount of learning about the how incredibly complex neotropical ecosystems are and about how our everyday choices as Americans contribute to their decline. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our professor was extremely knowledgeable, if grumpy at times. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in very simple cabins, they were small but functional |
| * Food: |
Some of the best food I have ever eaten |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to a typical fiesta and got to see bull riding |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It is safe area, I never felt threatened at anytime |
| 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? | An average $100 a week, we had to pay for all food and lodging out of pocket. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | However much they tell you to bring, I would bring extra |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was immersed about 50% of the time, so my Spanish really improved. |
| 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? | I would be prepared for anything, you will see things that you never imagined. |
