Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Decision You Will Ever Make! Past Review

By (Ohio University) - abroad from 08/27/2016 to 12/17/2016 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): San Jose - Semester in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad was the best decision of my entire life, and I'm sad that it's over!! I learned so much about the world around me and about myself. I never realized how many opportunities can arise if you just take a step out of your comfort zone

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics aren't challenging, but that's great because it allows you to focus more on the cultural experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* 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? No

I would choose one of the other providers, just because they had more cultural activities included in the program.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The excursions (going to the beach/on some sort of adventure every weekend)
  • The food
  • Meeting new people
* What could be improved?
  • The amount of cultural experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew that people in Costa Rica are very friendly and are willing to help if you just ask. I also wish I knew how many other students from the United States would be there, because I think I would have felt more at ease.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.