Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Travel, adventure, studies and friendships Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/06/2018 to 07/23/2018 with

University of Costa Rica: San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a broader world perspective and stronger Spanish and lifelong friendships. It was definitely worth while.

Review Photos

University of Costa Rica: San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Costa Rica: San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Costa Rica: San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was a lot of coursework but it was not graded very harshly.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful, always open to answering questions and very available

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family and had a great relationship with her.

* Food:

Lots of carbs and friend food but overall tasty.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Crime was random and relatively frequent if you let yourself be a target or have bad luck.

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

I loved the length of time I was there, the other people in my program and the coordinators.

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)

2.5-- I didn't have to buy my own food except for travel. Travel was pretty cheap but I traveled a lot and it added up.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Yes

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

It encouraged foreign language use through having host families.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200 at Middlebury
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? Make friends with native speakers and spend time with them

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The people I met
  • The independence
  • Ability to travel easitly
* What could be improved?
  • Clarity on logistics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That Costa Ricans are some of the kindest people and most people want to help.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The History of Women in Costa Rica
Course Department: History
Instructor: Prof. Eugenia Rodriguez
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Lots of reading, class discussion, exams and group work
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Art
Course Department: Art
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Not extremely challenging but fun and laid back. Practice drawing and art theory.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Geography of Central America
Course Department: Geography
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Anthropology
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: