My time in Costa Rica was the most pivotal and memorable part of my college experience Past Review
By Patrick D (Environmental Studies., Brandeis University) for
CIEE: Monteverde - Summer Tropical Ecology and Conservation
I developed a deeper love of ecology/science/nature, improved my Spanish, learned what it was like to live in a developing country, and made some great friends. More than anything else, it has made me consider going into an environmental field.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was very occupied with my studies throughout the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was exceptional. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I fell in love with rice and beans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I saw a bilingual play, went to a Quaker meeting, visited 5 national and 3 private parks. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Monteverde is pretty 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) |
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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? |
I practiced with my fellow students, TAs, my host family, park workers, everyday folk in Monteverde. I spoke Spanish most days while in Monteverde, and it improved dramatically. More time with a host family or a more intensive Spanish course (perhaps at the beginning) would've helped even more. |
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? | If you love adventure and nature, seriously consider this program. If you're squeamish, don't like hiking, or need indoor comforts, I'd advise against it. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Tropical Biology |
| Course Department: | BIOL 3001 |
| Instructor: | Alan Masters, Karen Masters |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Great, I learned a lot. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | not yet |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Humans in the Tropics |
| Course Department: | ECOL 3003 |
| Instructor: | Alan Masters |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A lot of fun, relatively easy. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | not yet |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Independent Research in Biology and Ecology |
| Course Department: | BIOL 3003 MVSU |
| Instructor: | Alan Masters, Karen Masters |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I studied ants, it was great. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | not yet |
