Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A beautiful intro to the country! Past Review

By (Environmental Studies & Sociology, Hollins University) - abroad from 06/08/2015 to 07/07/2015 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica – Ecological Resilience Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The program taught me that it IS possible to live and farm sustainably and to consider the environmental impact of so many aspects of your life, from visiting national parks to waste management and pest control. The new perspectives gained made the experience absolutely worthwhile.

Review Photos

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica - Sustainable Development Studies Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

High quality academics, considering the condensed summer schedule!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The campus is beautiful with wildlife and farm-fresh fare abound! The dorm is typical group living - take it or leave it, but it's a huge part of the experience!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I wish there had been more time and opportunities for cultural experiences.

* 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)

It all depends on how frugal you are, how many times you buy your own groceries or have a meal/drink in town, and how many souvenirs you want. Overall, prices are similar to most of the USA.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20-$30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There is food available for student use in the campus kitchen! Take advantage of it to cut down on your own snack/grocery bill. And when you do buy snacks, try out the national brands (not USA imports) - they're tasty and cheaper! Also, you can squeeze 5 into a taxi - the fare split 4 or 5 ways is reasonable.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Glimpse of many areas of the country
  • Lessons in organic farming from small-scale pros
  • Fast-paced with plenty of time outside the classroom
* What could be improved?
  • More cultural experiences
  • Better integration between classroom lectures and field excursions
  • Stick to the "no Spanish-language experience" requirement as promised upon enrollment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that my independent project would have required me to speak Spanish for better results!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.