Pura vida! Past Review

By (Dietetics, Clinical Nutrition, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/15/2015 to 05/15/2015 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 can speak Spanish!

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?

Minimal. Didn't go to school with local students above the age of 10.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Lucy (works in the USAC office in San Ramon) will help you get an appointment for anything you need. She even found me a chiropractor!

* Safety:

San Ramon is very safe! I didn't walk home alone at night, but I don't do that in the US either. Cabs are everywhere and your friends live pretty close to you usually.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Traveling can be expensive depending on how elaborate you want your excursions to be (going to Nicaragua or Panama for spring break = $$). Hostels range from $8-$30 depending on the time of year (less pricey during the rainy season) and location (more pricey in touristy areas). Check out hostelworld.com for more info.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I had zero necessary expenses, but it is fun to study at the coffee shop with friends, so maybe $10.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cheap hostels are great for saving money and meeting cool people. They tend to attract more of the "adventurous traveler" types!

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

I would have liked more encouragement to speak Spanish.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 1 semester of college 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? Take at least one Spanish class before coming to learn grammar and vocab basics. Speak to your US friends in Spanish when you get there. Try to reach out/hang out with locals your age. Take a class that is 100% in Spanish (really helped me!)

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?
  • My host mom
  • Gaining independence through traveling
  • Learning a new language
* What could be improved?
  • The campus
  • More interaction with locals our age
  • More scholarships
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That we weren't studying at the University of Costa Rica, like we had been told we were

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Women's Health

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Most useless shit of my life. She just sat there and read her illiterate slides in a monotone voice. She insulted her patients when she was telling us stories in class. I don't remember her name (Senora Ivanna Bogantes..or something), but she sucked so much. She also taught another health class. I heard that was the same bullshit. Also, she was late for class EVERY SINGLE DAY. She was at least 10-30 minutes late. And it was a Monday morning class, so kids just started showing up really late. Got 100% on everything. So stupid. Learned nothing.
Credit Transfer Issues: The class credits transferred to UMaine.