A Priceless Experience: Costa Rica Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought the education was very unique to this program. I was introduced to 4 professors who all had the chance to share their specialty with us. I appreciated that the program was divided into sections such as economics, ecology, tourism, etc. The classroom lectures were interesting, some were an overview of materials I had already learned, but others were brand new. The field work was my favorite part and most direct application of each of the topics we were learning about. The workload was never too overwhelming, but we did have multiple journals to read and discuss. As you would in your home institution, grades had to be worked for.

On-site administration of your program

Our faculty was without a doubt amazing. Most were citizens of Costa Rica and were so knowledgeable and passionate about their Country that you were always yearning to know more from them. Our program has 30 students and we always had adequate transportation and accommodations. I didn't have expectations going into the program because I simply had no idea what to imagine, but I was overall very impressed with this program.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our program traveled, so when we were in Atenas we lived in the dormitory, 4 people per room. That type of living I was expecting and I did have to bring sheets, pillows, blankets, etc. Also in Atenas, the professors’ families lived there as well, so they had children going to school in the morning and eating breakfast with us. It was very "homey". When we traveled we had an array of housing. Once we stayed in a cabin and another time it was more of lodge living. I was never disappointed with housing.

There was always enough food! The cooks were amazing and they always had options if you ate meat, were vegetarian, or vegan. I miss the food everyday and because we had a cooking class one evening as an activity I even have had the chance to make some Costa Rican food back home in the states. You just can't beat picking a fresh mango and eating it seconds after you've picked it. Every meal the cooks also made fresh juice from starfruit, mango, strawberry, etc. I don't know how they did it, but it was always a fight until it was all gone!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had a soccer game with local college students who also happened to be learing English. It was just a wonderful night playing soccer and talking in both Spanish and English. All of our field trips were amazing. The views, the hikes, the history was just something you can never forget.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Atenas was very safe. We were instructed which transportation to take into town and which to avoid. We also had a quard at our facility with a gate who was there all the time. For healthcare, we did have a presentation about the local insects and reptiles around and warning signs to look out for. If anyone had a rash, etc we had the option to go to the Clinic in town. I felt very safe and never had any issues.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

For our particular summer session we did not have a language class built into the program, simply because it was too short of a time. However, we did have exposure and activities with the local community in which we had the chance to practice Spanish. We had a school come for a day and we did activities with them; played soccer, had arts and crafts, and planted trees. This was entirely done in Spanish. Some of the families and workers at the Center fluently spoke Spanish and very little English, so again that was nice to help improve my language skills. I always had options to speak Spanish or not to, but just being in an environment where I could listen helped me feel more conformable. I have even taken this confidence back to my home institution where I joined a club that helps improve Spanish after returning from Studying Abroad!

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