Loading...

navigation

< prev next >

Costa Rica, una frase: Pura Vida!

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores

Submitted by Sara5 (Nursing,female,The University of Texas at Austin) on August 19th, 2010

Helpful

Not Helpful

1 of 1 people think this review is helpful

jump to:
Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Start Date:

Jul 5, 2010

End Date:

Aug 20, 2010

International exposure prior to program?

0-2 weeks

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

In terms of homework, the workload was light and very manageable. The grading system seemed fair and the professors were really helpful and willing to answer any questions I had.

Language Overall

Foreign language component?

Yes

**Language acquisition improvement?

**Comment:

I lived with a host mom in the community and I was able to practice Spanish with her everyday. Combined with my classes four days a week, my Spanish improved immensely. The staff at the Institute were all able to speak English but Spanish was very strongy encouraged.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

Overall great but often there was a disconnect between the Institute and the API program. Sometimes this made things difficult to coordinate. The staff of both the Institute and the API program are very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Host Family

Who did you live with?

Host Family

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

I lived with a 62-year-old widowed mother of a grown son. Her house was about 10-15 minutes walking distance from the Institute. I never felt in danger or threatened in the town of San Joaquín. Nightlife is a little tricky because you can´t walk around after dark and the sun sets around 6 pm. You have to call a taxi if you want to go anywhere but the taxis are readily available and very cheap. Usually between 1.50- 5.00 depending on where you are going. My host mom was fantastic and treated me like a family member. I was able to practice my spanish with her everyday and she was very patient with me.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

The food was incredible. My host mom was able to accommodate my lactose intolerance without any problem. Food is a symbol of love here and there is plenty of it! I almost always had to ask for smaller portions. Eventually she started to understand and would serve me smaller portions. Don´t be afraid to ask for the foods that you like or the portions that you want. In my experience, the host families want to make you food that you like. Much of it is pretty unhealthy and a lot of students gained weight even in just six weeks. It´s a balancing act to enjoy the food as part of the culture and the experience but still maintain your health.

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

Overall, San Joaquin seemed to be very safe. It's a smaller town that's partly rural but has urbanization too. The community is very close-knit and I knew my neighbors and other families nearby. Still, it's not safe to walk around after dark, especially if you look like a foreigner. I never got sick while I was there but I had two friends who did and they both thought the healthcare that they received was adequate. I did not need any specific vaccinations for this program. I would recommend not taking malaria pills as you really don't need them. If your program is located anywhere in the Central Valley, you don't need to be concerned about the mosquitoes/ malaria... If your program is located on either the Pacific or the Caribbean coast then it's a different story.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

Review Title:

Costa Rica, una frase: Pura Vida!

**Words of wisdom:

I had a great experience with the classes at the Institute. Someone who really wants to learn Spanish or improve their Spanish would be a good fit. Also, someone who wants a Study Abroad experience but is not looking for an exchange program. You take classes with other American students so it's a little bit less intimidating than taking classes alongside local students in a university. And again, someone who can deal with a tropical climate including the rain, mud and bugs.

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

Yes

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

It was absolutely worthwhile. I really improved my Spanish and learned a lot about people in general. I feel like I learned a lot about life and culture from my Mama Tica and the other students in my group and even from the professors at the Institute. I plan on making the Spanish language and the Latin culture a bigger part of my life here in the States. I hope to continue to learn more about the cultures of different Latin American countries. I also plan on continuing to practice my Spanish so that eventually, I can become fluent.

Posted on: September 2nd, 2010

Posted by: Kaitlin Leppert
student

Saritaaaa!!! Ahhhh I miss you & I wish were still in San Joaquin taking classes.

Loading...

Costa Rica, una frase: Pura Vida!

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): San Joaquin de Flores - Instituto San Joaquin De Flores

STUDY ABROAD REVIEWS

Featured Programs

Welcome To Your Planning Bar

Login to Abroad101