Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Costa Rica Summer Study Abroad Experience Past Review

By (SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 06/30/2012 with

SUNY Geneseo: Heredia - Centro de Estudios Hispánicos de la Universidad Nacional

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and learned a lot about the culture of Costa Rica. For these reasons it was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned so much living with the family, however I felt that the classes could have been more challenging.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Very minimal amount
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You pay to eat at your host family's house so eating out every day is kind of pointless; if you're trying to save money I would only eat out on special occasions.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? 302 - Hispanic Literature
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? Weekends are essential - your host parents will be home and it's when you'll speak the most.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living with my host family
* What could be improved?
  • Classes could be more challenging
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing really although Geneseo could provide more information about cell phone usage...I did the research on my own however it would be helpful for students to know tat you can activate one before getting to Costa Rica. I found this to be extremely useful, as I could not find my host mother upon arrival and would have had a very difficult time contacting her if I didn't have a pre-activated cell phone.