Spanish intensive program in Puntarenas, C0sta Rica Past Review
By Rachael B (Speech and Hearing Science, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) for
USAC Costa Rica: Puntarenas - Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies
I really gained more independence on this program. I had spent 9 months away from home prior to this trip, but I think I gained more from this experience. The best way to learn a language is to be completely immersed in it, which is one of the reasons I loved living with a family.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was primarily a Spanish intensive program. There were other great classes I took like Latin American Cultures, Latin American Cuisine, and Latin American Dance (and there were other options as well). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was pretty well organized and we went on trips and they were great. They took care of problems |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, and they were GREAT! I still keep in touch with them, and I plan to go back sometime soon. |
| * Food: |
My host mother made my meals almost every day, and they were okay, it just depends on who you are with. I happen to be a picky eater, and I don't like fish, which is one of the best foods in Costa Rica. Overall, it just depends on who you live with, etc. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We traveled every weekend, we met locals, and had a great time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Puntarenas is not as safe as it used to be, but that's how most cities throughout the world are. You just have to be careful. The Health field is definitely about 20 years behind to what we're used to (in the U.S.), but USAC handled it fine and I was taken care of when needed. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had NO previous knowledge of Spanish. I have learned Hebrew all my life, and going to Costa Rica was the first time I learned Spanish. |
| 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?
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? | This is a GREAT program, and is definitely affordable. It is a chill city, we lived right on the beach, went to dinner some nights, and traveled almost every weekend, especially over spring break, when we went to Panama. When going abroad, the experience will be as good as you make it. It is not a city where people go to clubs every night or anything like that, it's more of a casual drink a beer on the beach and go to the bar where there's Spanish dancing (which is great), and hanging out with the locals. |
