The Best Dang Summer in My Life: Tica Style Past Review

By (Marriage-Family Studies, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/11/2012 to 08/07/2012 with

Brigham Young University: LDS Employment Services Spanish International Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
i can't possibly summarize that hear. i learned tons from costa rica. i would venture to say that i'm a new person because of the experiences i had there. of course it was worthwhile. can i do it again?

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Brigham Young University
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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? Yes

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? hm. maybe like $50?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? just cook. learn from the natives and cook. eating out is overrated.

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? Intermediate
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? third year 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? immerse yourself with people. go for it. mess up. it's okay. it's how you learn.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • getting credit for school
  • being involved in something so incredible
  • having such a bomb international experience
* What could be improved?
  • include food? sometime?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how hard it would be