Pura Vida- Costa Rica Past Review
By Edlecia Ward (Ball State University) - abroad from 05/25/2019 to 06/30/2019 with
AIFS: San José - Universidad Veritas and Internship Program
I learned to simply live life and take it day by day. Don't rush things because they will come.
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. |
The classes were very presentation driven and interactive. It allowed myself and other students to really indulge ourselves in the topics and allow us to actually teach it to the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The AIFS staff were AMAZING, welcoming, and VERY helpful. It was very evident that they were genuine and loved working with the students. They went above and beyond and it did not go unnoticed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family were the most sweetest, welcoming, and thoughtful people ever. They made me feel right at home and apart of their family. Living in San Jose with my host mom was a highlight of my trip! |
| * Food: |
I love food and I tried as much new food as I could! The Cost Rican dishes were amazing, filled with flavor, and very inexpensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Social culture was not what I expected, however, I blended just fine! Everyone was so nice and seemed so peaceful. Very welcoming I would say! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully, I did not become injured or needed any medical assistance, but I was able to visit a few healthcare places in San Jose and I would like to say they seem so behind on the technology that is used today. For example, they have paper files, while the US files are more than likely electronic. |
| * Safety: |
Safety was the first topic we discussed when I landed in San Jose and it was what I practiced my whole time there. I felt as safe as I in my hometown. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Costa Rica is BEAUTIFUL and not too far from the US. The people, the culture, and food are AMAZING!! Thank you San Jose. |
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) |
Studying abroad is not just something you think about today and take a trip tomorrow, it is something you plan and save for. I knew I wanted to study abroad a year before I went and decided to save my money and budget very well when I got to Costa Rica. |
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 |
I was in a beginners Spanish course and I still had to speak 100% Spanish the whole class period. I was able to pick up on words, gestures, and apply a little language when I felt comfortable. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish. |
| 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? | Find apps, watch tv, and speak to people in Spanish. It only helps! |
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? | I knew as much as I needed to know and learned what I did not know |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
