Past Review
By Marissa L (Biology and Plan II, The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Texas - Austin: Traveling - Plan II Biology
My study abroad experience was more than worth it. I learned what true conservation does (and does not) look like, everything there is to know about coffee, and that there are no quick fixes in life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We were constantly learning. The workload was very light, but I learned more than I have in any other class I've ever taken. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The trip went smoothly, especially for the first time this Maymester course was ever done. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Various hotels that ranged from extremely basic to resort-like, Sirena Field Station, Monteverde Biological Field Station, CATIE dormitories ...All housing felt safe an live-able. <br /><br /> Housing changed so frequently that it was never a big concern. |
| * Food: |
Rice and beans for every meal can get old about 3 weeks in, but it's not the worst food, just bland. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Making chocolate with the indigenous BriBri people was probably one of my favorite activities of the entire trip. I also appreciated all of the swimming opportunities--in rivers, swimming holes, waterfalls, and the ocean. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety never particularly felt like an issue. It was helpful that Moon was a medic. Our group passed around a rather unfortunate GI infection, but I think that Moon and Ruth did the best that they could to handle the situation. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was surprised that we only ever slept one person to a bed, even in double or queen beds. I know that plenty of people would not have minded sharing a (larger) bed to cut down on the number of hotel rooms. I also would have been okay with staying in more basic hotels, as long as they were still safe. I also think that we could have eaten at fewer expensive restaurants; I would have been fine with just going to the grocery store. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would advise you to get a really good pair of quick-dry pants, a quality rain jacket, and shirts you don't mind throwing away at the end of the program. |
