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Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI): Heredia - CPI Language Center
Program Information
CPI Heredia, founded in 1991, is located in San Joaquín de Flores. San Joaquín, a suburb of Heredia, is popular among those who wish to be away from the traffic, pollution and tension of the city, yet still want the advantage of easy access to Costa Rica's capital. Excellent bus service provides transportation... More
| Provider: | Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI) |
| Location(s): | Heredia, Costa Rica |
| Year Founded: | |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Michelle W. (World Language- Spanish, New Mexico State University) on August 03, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 1969-12-31 |
| * End Date: | 1969-12-31 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The school had a great curriculum and structure. Each week students switch teachers which provided students with different experiences. The teachers were all native Spanish speakers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All expectations were met. |
| * Housing: |
My home stay allowed me to practice my Spanish, however the home was a bit dirty and I was robbed during my third week of study. All my things were in my room in the house, and when I returned my electronics were all missing. |
| * Food: |
The food was fine, but it was a lot of rice and beans. This is the staple food in Costa Rica. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school provided many great activities for the students to participate in. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Due to the robbery and other problems in the area that the police shared with the students my first week, I did not feel near as safe as I do in my home country. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did New Mexico State University prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would advise to do some research before traveling to the country. The Internet provides great resources with the cost of many different activities. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I had opportunity to practice with instructors, and the family with whom I lived with. No, most people did not speak Spanish. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would say, "Go!" However, request a home stay that the institute has used prior to your visit. Be open and flexible with time. Traveling and living in another country is a fabulous way to learn or practice another language. I cannot even compare the experience to any classes I have taken to my home country. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | Yes, it was worthwhile. I was able to learn a lot about another culture, and my Spanish definitely improved. |