Costa Rica is an awesome place with awesome people Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 07/02/2016 to 08/06/2016 with
API Universidad Veritas
I learned that I can make my way through a city somewhat competently, that I can always make more progress with Spanish, that I can do this again someday.
Review Photos
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 at Universidad Veritas were great. The professors especially. They gave a good balance of work difficulty and quantity. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom took such great care of us. We were extremely fortunate. |
| * Food: |
GALLO PINTO |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
No worries, just don't walk alone at night--basically any rules you would follow in any city apply here. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
API in San Jose has great staff who know what they're doing. |
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) |
Wellllllll, it was my choice to travel every weekend, and I had the money to do so. I mean, if you chose to stay in every weekend, you could, but that's no way to live. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out every meal when you are on weekend trips--bring some canned tuna, peanuts, fruit, etc. And when you do go out, order casados. Take the bus and Ubers as opposed to taxis. Bring sunscreen and repellent from the US if you possibly can, and enough toiletries to last your whole trip. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | the very top of the undergraduate level |
| 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? | Try to use the target language even when you are only with your fellow US citizens; I don't say not to use English, because that's damn near impossible, but just that you make an effort to use the target language, too with your buds. |
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 wish I knew to bring better hiking boots. Mine screwed me up hardcore. I'm fine now, but wow. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
