more and less than what I expected Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My Spanish-language classes were the most difficult thing I have ever taken in my 10 years of college, but that didn't stop them from being great. My instructor was very helpful, throughout and patient. She took the time to help each and every one of here students and graded fairly. My cooking class was fun, though we didn't really cook Costa Rican food, just food. My dance class was meh, fun enough, though I never looked forward to it.

On-site administration of your program

The program staff was really helpful and arranged many activities for the students. I marked this field down from 5 to 3 stars because I feel that the $500 field-trip that they supply wasn't worth the money. If you plan your own trip with friends you can do a trip for 3x as long for the same cost. Also, the program insisted on getting a $500 student VISA that you actually didn't need if you made sure to leave the country every 90 days (which I was planning on doing anyway).

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

my neighborhood was safe. I was a 20 minute or $0.50 bus ride from school. My house was quiet and clean. Although I didn't not get along with my host family, I never really connected with them either. They didn't speak any English and I didn't speak any Spanish and so for the first three months of my four month stay, I was unable to communicate with them short of using Google Translate. I was unsatisfied with the food (see the below category) and had no control over what I ate though I also never felt like I was allowed to make my own food or food-suggestions either Also, I had no privacy as my host mom would clean my room, move my belongings and randomly walk into my room without warning (which had the only mirror in the house) to do her makeup. As such, I never really felt home when I was at home.

don't go to Costa Rica for the food. It is bland. You will eat unseasoned rice and beans 2 times per day every day. the only cheese they have is American, the only lunch-meat they have is bologna, the only beer they have are three varieties of overpriced, and unremarkable pilsner. Oh yes, and they don't season anything. Imagine Mexican without the variety or the spices; I know you can't, but try.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had a fantastic time traveling. I loved the rainforests, volcanoes, and the beaches. It seemed that I went traveling every weekend and never went to a place that I didn't like. I went zip-lining twice, though the best time was X-tremo in Monteverde. I went white-water rafting on the Rio Pacuare, something that you HAVE TO DO. I went boogie boarding on some the hugest waves ever in Puerto Viejo. And I had the opportunity traveled all around central America and loved it all, though El Salvador and Nicaragua were my favorites. Costa Rica doesn't have a ton of culture. They are very American in their attitudes and what culture they had originally has been replaced by tourism.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We had a few girls get robbed at gunpoint in San Jose (the capital city) and were warned against going out alone at night. Personally I never had any trouble and traveled by myself all the time.

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

My host family, most stores, restaurants, hostels, taxi drivers. On the beaches, people expected you to speak English, but inland it was all Spanish all the time.

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• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family