USAC Puntarenas, Costa Rica: the Best 4 Months of My Life! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The professors are very, very knowledgeable, and I learned so much in my 4 months at the school. There was a considerable amount of classwork and projects/essays, especially toward the end of the semester, but it was not too hard to balance everything.

On-site administration of your program

My expectations were exceeded. The people at USAC are willing to do whatever they can, and oftentimes go to great lengths, to make sure that students have the best possible experience. They help us solve any problems. They are incredibly knowledgeable about the country, as they all live there, and are more than willing to share that knowledge with students. They are efficient, and never let us down. There were only 56 students in my program while I was there, and we all got so close! :)

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was incredible caring, doting, helpful, and supportive. I practiced my Spanish every single day while living with them. They loved talking to me, and listening to me! I learned a lot about Costa Rican culture from my family. Our house was two blocks away from the school, and three blocks from the beach, in a safe, quieter area of the city. My family provided everything I needed in the house: food, sheets, soap, etc. I did choose to buy a few things on my own, but I did not have to.

My host mother was very concerned with making sure I ate three square meals each day. She prepared my breakfast in the morning (until I eventually talked her into staying in bed when I got up for class each day), and cooked my other meals as well. She fed me a very good variety of foods (in Costa Rican terms...I mean, yes, we did eat rice EVERY day), and everything was delicious! Literally, my only complaint is that my family fed me TOO MUCH, and I felt pressured to be polite and eat all of it. But they fed me so much out of pure love! :)

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was a lot of drinking among students, especially at the bars, but generally, students were very laid-back and responsible about it. We had so much fun getting together...you could find people to spend time with at any hour of any day!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The people at USAC always advised us about how to stay safe in the city and surrounding areas, and cautioned us about what we should not to. I have heard from others that the health care program we were automatically enrolled in worked well! I never needed it, luckily. I generally felt safe in Costa Rica, but there are instances of theft and such. You just need to be careful, and make wise choices.

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

USAC encourages students to live with host families, and for those students, like me, who really want to improve their Spanish, there are families who do not speak any English, so we get lots of practice! Also, USAC provides the option to be matched with a local high school student "conversation partner" for further practice. There are many courses which are only taught in Spanish. BUT, for those students who do not wish to practice the language, there are always English options!

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• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family