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Costa Rica- An Unbelievable Amazing Learning Experience. Pura Vida!

A Study Abroad Program Review of Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Student Teachers in Costa Rica

Submitted by Sarah Ryan (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education,female,Stephen F. Austin State University) on January 29th, 2012

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Start Date:

Jan 1, 2012

End Date:

Jan 14, 2012

What influenced you to select this study abroad program? (select all that apply):

Peers

Professor

(Other)

International exposure prior to program?

2 weeks-1 month

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

The educational system is incredibly different in Costa Rica. America offers many institutions within one place it seems, but in Costa Rica there are children of all ages within one facility;

Language Overall

Foreign language component?

Yes

**Language acquisition improvement?

**Comment:

I was nervous prior to going because I hadn't taken a Spanish course since middle school. I found that many Costa Ricans know English as well, so it was more comfortable. I used all the Spanish that I knew whenever possible.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

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

Dr. Armstrong was very knowledgeable on Costa Rica. He knew every area that we traveled to like that back of his hand. The other 2 chaperones were great as well. Although neither of them had gone to Costa Rica before they were knowledgeable on different cultures and were fluent in Spanish.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Hotel

Other (describe in comment field below)

Who did you live with?

Americans

Other (describe in comment field below)

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

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

The places we stayed at were all very different. My favorite was the bed and breakfast in Santa Elena, it was very clean and well-kept. All of the places were within walking distance from the towns. I felt safe in every place we went to. The nightlife was bigger in certain places but they all had bars and such.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

The food was GREAT. You will get sick of rice and beans though-but they were all delicious. Don't feel ashamed to try other restaurants apart from the local ones-sometimes those are the BEST.

Safety and Health Overall

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

**Safety:

**Comment:

We were told to always have bug spray (especially in certain areas) because of Malaria. Also we were told certain areas that we could not drink the water from taps.

Money Overall

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

General Assessment Overall

Review Title:

Costa Rica- An Unbelievable Amazing Learning Experience. Pura Vida!

**Words of wisdom:

Don't pass this opportunity up. I think this was one, if not THE, most amazing experiences of my life. You become such a well-rounded person seeing how other people live their lives- It also makes you grateful for things that we often take for granted at home. ‎Dr. Armstrong is so incredibly knowledgeable about Costa Rica and he provides you with an amazingly unforgettable experience. I think students who are open-minded and willing to try/learn about new things: food, culture, people, language, etc. are perfect for a trip like this! It was an unbelievable experience.

"Once people live abroad and learn to see themselves and their culture from afar, those things never look the same again."

**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?

Studying abroad was an amazing experience! I gained so much from it! I acquired more patience with others and understanding of other cultures. I have become more aware of things that aren't just issues in America.

Go abroad again!:

Teach Abroad

Work Abroad

Volunteer Abroad

What did you like most about this program?

The amazing cultural experience!

What could be improved?

Organization-knowing places we are going before we go to them.

What did you like most about this program?

The learning that we experiences in another country foreign to us

What did you like most about this program?

The food, the people, the AMAZING nature, the beautiful culture of Costa Rica.

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Costa Rica- An Unbelievable Amazing Learning Experience. Pura Vida!

A Study Abroad Program Review of Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Student Teachers in Costa Rica

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