Life changing experience!! Past Review
By Leslie A (Environmental Science, Clarion University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 02/28/2015 to 06/27/2015 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica
I have become less shy and backward and opened up a lot
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Leo, Maggie, and Tatiana were so helpful and fun and really got us involved in Costa Rica life. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many opportunities presented to us, but it was really intimidating because of the big city, bad reputations, and the language barrier. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Food was way more expensive than I imagined in San Jose. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go crazy on eating out, buy food and make it in your house, and don't go crazy on alcohol its expensive! |
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 |
My homestay mom spoke mostly spanish, and you pretty much are forced to use it all the time. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | its possible to go to Costa Rica with no language experience, but it is hard, you are really submerged in the language though so you learn a lot in a very short amount of time. |
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 had knew more about the culture of Costa Rica |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Conversational Spanish |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Marlene |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This spanish class was so much fun and the most helpful and positive class I took while at Veritas. I learned alot of spanish in those 3 months and the teacher was so encouraging. I participated way more than I would have at my home institution. There were a few quizes, presentations and mostly discussions. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
