A wonderful cultural and lingusitic immersion experience! Past Review
By Rachel L (International Business, University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 06/27/2015 to 08/01/2015 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: San Jose, Costa Rica
Program was definitely worth while-I learned more about the Spanish language and Latin American culture.
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. |
Lots of homework, but professors and CEA staff always available to help! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Always available-in person or via email. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our host mom was an amazing cook and extremely sweet |
| * Food: |
Everything is fresh! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would have liked to have spent more time with native Costa Ricans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have a problem, but my friends who did spoke highly of the health care system. |
| * Safety: |
As long as you make good decisions, you will be safe. |
| 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) |
Sodas (small restaurants open for lunch) are very inexpensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Wait until the end of your trip to buy souvenirs. |
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? | 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? | An upper-level Spanish langauge course |
| 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? | Become friends with locals |
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 would have known more about the structure of our two classes. |
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. |
