Past Review
By Zachary M (Communication Studies and Spanish, New Mexico State University) for
Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI): Flamingo Beach - CPI Language Center
I learned a totally different culture in Costa Rica as well as the culture in Brazil. I met people from Brazil and learned how they live and what they do as well. I learned so much more Spanish by living in the homestays and going to school everyday. I learned to get out of that barrier of keeping only my own friends. I learned to make friends and go out even in a different country. This experience was the experience of a lifetime and I would re live again for sure.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | NMSU |
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics in every school for CPI were very helpful. I learned tons of Spanish, but I would have to say that you learn the most from the homestay families. They teach you a bunch of Spanish that is so useful in the city and in restaurants. The Spanish from the family is needed Spanish whereas the school Spanish is for proper grammar and writing skills. All in all the trip to Costa Rica and my stay there was amazing. I would definitely recommend this school to all students who want to learn Spanish and are planning to study abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestay was amazing, the families were very helpful and very understanding when i didn't know specific vocabulary. Beds were not extremely comfortable, but I expected it because it is a different country and not the United States. |
| * Food: |
They cooked the best food I have ever tasted. Everything they served me was fresh whether it was fruit or cheese or juice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had the best experiences of my life. I met some people that I know I will keep in touch with forever. We did tours throughout all the colleges and had a blast on every one of them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Costa Rica is very safe where CPI is located and any tour taken is in a safe place. If someone decides to go to San Jose on their own make sure many people are with you and be alert of your surroundings. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bank lines take forever some days depending on the bank and time of day. Any other expenses were pretty good and not over priced. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I believe my language skills improved immensely. I learned from the family as well as the school. There were also kids in the school that were learning English that would help me with my Spanish. |
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It will be the time of your life and you will not regret anything if you make the best of it. You have to go out and meet people and go on tours and live it up in Costa Rica. It was the best time of my life and I am going to travel again in the future. |
