Past Review
By Harriet G (EDUCATION., New Mexico State University) for
Centro Panamericano de Idiomas (CPI): Monteverde - CPI Language Center
I was disappointed in the increased crime in Costa Rica, but I believe the school offers a good opportunity to study with good-excellent teachers. Ticos are sweet, respectable people and a joy to know.
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. |
Most of the teachers were good-excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a medical emergency. The staff was efficient and reliable in assisting me. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Independence of an apartment required more self responsibility and independent conversations. |
| * Food: |
Rice and beans are the staple, served three meals a day. I like this dish and eat it at home; that helps. It's good to avoid buying US snack food--chips and such--in order to fully experience the culture. US foods are available, but expensive. Hamburgers are usually awful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I am an adult. There were plenty of students my age with whom to socialize. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Crime in Costa Rica has increased to an alarming level. I carried only a copy of my passport and $20 always, expecting to be robbed. I was not able to carry phone, camera or anything I carried about not losing. Students were being robbed regularly in Heredia, even those who took ordinary precautions. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I have traveled all over the world with an ATM card. But, in Costa Rica, I was surprised that only certain banks would honor my card. I had taken a large sum of US currency and was glad I had it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My skills were advanced when I arrived; improvement potential was limited. But there was near immersion possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take seriously the precautions recommended by the school. Travel in groups, especially at night; use "official" cabs; keep your personal style low key; carry the minimum-- no big backpacks, don't flash cell phones, cameras, wallets in public or you will almost certainly be robbed. |
