Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Pura Vida a Conversa! Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 06/05/2017 to 07/07/2017 with

Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that Costa Rica is a gem of a country. The people, the culture, and the natural life are really incredible. I also learned a good amount Spanish that you would not necessarily learn in a classroom, especially colloquialisms. This program was definitely worth every penny.

Review Photos

Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Conversa is an institution that tailors the class around your level of learning. They adapt very easily to your needs while also challenging you in the language.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration on-site were very helpful and accessible. Anytime I had a question they were more than willing to find the answer. They were also very organized and always up to date on any information they thought we should have and kept an open line of communication throughout the stay.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The family I lived with was extremely hospitable. The parents always made sure I was well fed and that my clothes were clean. While the living space was small I still had my own private space.

* Food:

The food on campus was delicious! My favorite meal was arroz con pollo. Off campus, my host mom made delicious meals and I also had positive experiences eating out in the town.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think this aspect really depends on you as an individual. If you really want to integrate yourself, you can. For example, on Sundays I would attend Mass and then walk around the Feria, which is their local market held every Sunday morning. You can see all of the local people buying and selling local produce. Spending time with your host family can also enhance how integrated you are socially and culturally. For me, that meant going to Bingo to fundraise for a local event, dancing at Zumba at the local community gym, and watching the national football team play with my host sister.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I gave this five stars because while I did not get sick, there were other students who did and I felt like the situation was handled quickly and professionally.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in the community. However, you should definitely take precautions. If I was ever out at night, one of the male students would walk me to my home just to ensure I arrived safely. Other than that, I never felt like I was in danger.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

For my level of Spanish, this program was perfect. I was able to communicate with my host family and the locals with general ease and also bonded with the other English speakers at the program. If my level of Spanish were any lower, this program would not have been as helpful because being around other English only students prevented me from practicing the language 24/7.

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)

If I had wanted to, I really did not need to spend very much money at all. All of the meals were taken care of, which is where most of my spending occurs. On the weekends, though, we would go on different excursions to different parts of Costa Rica so transportation, lodging, and meals added up quickly. These can also be fairly inexpensive though if you pick careful such as staying in hostels, eating at inexpensive places, and traveling as a group.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $75. That money all went toward the weekend trips. For example, one weekend we took a tour of a national park, stayed at a hotel on the beach, bought our meals, and included transportation to that part of Costa Rica.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat with your host family and on campus whenever you can. Also, do not be afraid to bargain with vendors at markets. They will generally price up their items when they suspect you are a tourist but are willing to go down. Lastly, make a budget and plan ahead what you would like to do. It can be much cheaper if you go as a group so also see who else is interested in adventuring with you in the program!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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
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?
  • The professors, administrative staff, drivers, and campus employees were incredibly professional and personable.
  • The food was RICA!
  • The location was beautiful. You were surrounded by the most incredible natural life all of the time.
* What could be improved?
  • The English talking could have been reduced. The only time you could speak in English was when you were out of class with the other students. When we spoke to each other in English, it took away from our learning. That is more of a personal decision that students will have to really decide on their own if they want to challenge themselves or not.
  • More field trips would have been fun. We went on about two while I was there. Those were awesome because we used public transportation and were actively applying our classroom Spanish to real life situations out and about in Costa Rica.
  • More interaction with local students close to the age of the student. The local friends I made were through my host sister. It would have been cool, though, to meet more local students and practice speaking in Spanish with them while also forming meaningful connections and networking.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about Costa Rica before going there. I felt like I knew a good amount, but knowing more about its history would have enhanced my experience. I also wish I had known more Spanish going into it or at least made stronger attempts to talk with my host family. I realize the point of going was to learn the language but having basic conversations with my family got very frustrating. Once I was able to really express myself with my host family was when the bonds really began to form because we could tell each other stories, talk about the news, and reflect on our days with meaningful conversation.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'