Pura Vida! Past Review

By (Spanish, University of California - Santa Barbara) - abroad from 07/05/2014 to 08/02/2014 with

Adelante: San Jose - Semester, Summer and Intern in San Jose

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How lucky I am to have everything I do (healthy food options, security without being gated in, and well paved roads and sidewalks.

Review Photos

Adelante: San Jose - Semester and Summer Study in San Jose Photo Adelante: San Jose - Semester and Summer Study in San Jose Photo Adelante: San Jose - Semester and Summer Study in San Jose Photo

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?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Food is really cheap, between 4 and 5 dollars a day but make sure you factor in having to buy water because although San Jose's water is okay, water anywhere else that is not bottled will 90% of the time make you sick.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? HS Spanish 3
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? Explore the city during the daytime

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • my host mom
  • the excursions
* What could be improved?
  • the integration of independent students and other students for activities during the week.
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? spanish, how to explore and travel in a new city

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.