Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Pura Vida! Past Review

By (Pre-Pharm, University of the Pacific) - abroad from 01/13/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

USAC Costa Rica: San Ramón - Life Sciences, Spanish Language, and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to eat the food from the host family if you can (obviously if it's part of what you have already paid)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Find friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • It helped my Spanish skills a lot.
* What could be improved?
  • However, more interaction with locals would have been cool.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Spanish. My first few weeks were difficult