Conversa: The Best Spanish School in Costa Rica Past Review

By (International Finance / Chinese / Spanish, Trinity University) for

Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got everything I wanted out of my experience: improved Spanish fluency in a fun and relaxing environment that let me go to the beach every weekend.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Effective teaching. Period.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very satisfied. I didn't spend much time at home though so I couldn't take advantage of the opportunity to practice a lot with my host family.

* Food:

Local food so a little different, but good variety, very healthy, and good overall.

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Only a few hundred dollars, the majority of which went towards weekend vacations.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? None. The program covers all necessary expenditures. I spent my money mostly at bars and hotels.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans