Costa Rica: Made me see forests and cities in a completely different light. Past Review
By Ana P (Plan II and Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Texas - Austin: Traveling - Plan II Biology
It was extremely worthwhile. I gained priceless insight into the innerworkings of a community and how different components of that community can either be beneficial to one another or harmful. I also learned about forests, nature, how valuable it is and how delicate and vulnerable it is. I will never look at a city, a park, or a wooded area the same way again. My whole perspective has been widened and I feel like I can see so much more now. It was worth every penny and every sweaty night.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | CATIE |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was challenging and eye-opening. It was incredible. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Many of our guides and leaders were spectacular, but there were definitely a couple who were sub-par: Disinterested in the students and the class, it seemed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in research facilities with out guides and bus driver. I thought this situation was ideal. |
| * Food: |
Too much restaurant eating and variability in food qualitity and meal times. Also a deficiency of vegetarian options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The students chosen for the program were all quite kind and determined not to cause group tension. I found everyone to be openminded and genuinely interested in making the trip the best it could be. I also met a couple of people that I consider good friends still. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt entirely safe throughout the entire program. There were a lot of health issues though, and some people stayed sick for practically the entire trip. I'm not sure what could possibly have been done about this, though, considering the pace of the course and our seemingly well-stocked-with-drugs professors. |
| 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? | Some of the places we stayed seemed overly luxurious. I would have preferred less expensive accomodation whenever possible and eliminated much of the restaurant dining in favor of picnics or our own freedom to find meals. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You better be tough, cause this course ain't easy. |
