an adventure Past Review
By tesla r (International Business, University of Southern Indiana) - abroad from 01/10/2015 to 04/25/2015 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica
I learned to be self sufficient. and having to get over the language barrier
Personal Information
| 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. |
I didn't find my host university to be challenging at all. my home university is much more challenging |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the school didn't really help the exchange students |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
my host mom was amazing |
| * Food: |
the food was different, but I like trying new things |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like a lot of the locals didn't like americans |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to the hospital one time and they just want to get you in and out |
| * Safety: |
I had to carry a pocket knife with me everywhere. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
it was very expensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 100 on food weekly |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | save more money and eat at local places |
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 |
they didn't encourage it at all |
| 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? | spanish 308 |
| 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? | talk to locals and try not to speak english |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | how expensive costa rica is |
