A learning experience with memories that will last a lifetime! Past Review
By Allison Lease (Bethany Lutheran College) - abroad from 06/02/2018 to 06/30/2018 with
WorldStrides Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica - Veritas Christian Study Abroad
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned to be more confident and independent, I was basically fluent in Spanish while down in Costa Rica, I met amazing friends, and I tried so many new foods and activities!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I feel that I learned a great amount in class, but just conversing with my host family and locals gave me a better learning experience! The class was a great review and it was what I was hoping for. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 on food, excursions ranged from $60-200 (those are optional) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring some snacks for in between class, lunch is always cheap. I would recommend to spend less money on items and splurge more on food and excursions because you will remember those longer! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Intermediate (conversation and literature) |
| 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? | Listen to music in the language you are learning, try to think in it, and just write down notes for the trip in your language just to practice. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That it is hot!! I would have packed way differently. I also would have tried to meet even more locals and try to see them more than once. I would’ve liked to interact more with individuals to have longer lasting friendships. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intermediate Spanish II |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Carla Torres |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It was challenging at times especially when we would debate in class (team debates). The teacher was always prepared. I participated more in class because I wanted to get the most out of it. We had papers, presentations, worksheets, movies, debates, and journals. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes, for some reason my credits did not count as study abroad, so it didn’t count towards my GPA. |
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