Finding My Calling Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were intense, but not too hard. I learned an incredible amount and the professors were fantastic.

On-site administration of your program

There was always someone who could help me and answer my questions.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My family was very nice. We didn't talk or hang out all the time, and I would have liked to spend more time with them, but they were always welcoming to me.

The typical food of Costa Rica was delicious! I miss the plantains and casados. Most of the food at my host family's house was good, I only didn't like tuna, which was my fault for not telling them. Even though I lived with a vegetarian house mate, the family was very accommodating to me.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It would have been awesome to hang out with more Ticos, but if you want to do that you have to make the effort! The Ticos at Veritas are so used to the gringos that they don't care to be your friend unless you make it happen. Since I had plenty of gringo friends, I didn't try too hard to make many local friends. I felt very integrated with my family and with the community, though!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The doctor on campus is an incredibly nice man, and we talked many times about Jesus, but he only uses natural remedies. I fell off a horse and was kicked in the leg during the fall and completely lost feeling there (still today it's numb!), and he gave me a natural potion that I'm not sure helped. 3 of my friends had issues spraining or fracturing their ankle or foot, and they all went to the hospital and it seems like they were well taken care of. I had the typhoid vaccine prior to the trip, which was no hassle because it was an oral vaccine, but I don't think I needed the malaria medication. I stopped taking it after 2 weeks because it made me way too sensitive to the sun.

Safety wasn't much of an issue, but robberies were. Veritas is increasing security and working on that issue, though! Don't walk alone at night and don't carry anything you wouldn't want to lose with you. Do NOT bring your laptop outside the house, and do not show your phone on the streets! All the houses are well protected with very large gates.

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

This program was extremely affordable because 1) Study Abroad Center scholarships and UNI scholarships and 2) My dad used frequent flyer miles to pay for my airfare. Food was very cheap, and if I hadn't traveled on every weekend like I did, I would have barely spent any money!

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

My primary purpose for coming to Costa Rica was to master Spanish. I had already had an advanced level of Spanish, without the ability to speak it fluently. Classes and my family were very encouraging in using Spanish, but touristy areas on the weekends were not. Too many gringos!

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• Meeting People
• Adventures- Rain forests and beaches!
• Classes and Professors, field trips

• Safety
• Ways to mix with Ticos

The Avid Adventurer