A Trip I'll Never Forget! Past Review
By D'Asia Session (Rochester Institute of Technology) - abroad from 07/07/2018 to 08/31/2018 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): San Jose - Summer in Costa Rica
I gained more confidence speaking Spanish, I am more comfortable visiting another country on my own and I can now say I've visited a country outside of the United States.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* 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? |
Yes
This program helped me improve my Spanish skills as well as visit the ocean multiple times and try new things. I was able to be fully immersed in Tico life because I chose this 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) |
There are two excursions that are included, the rest of the excursions you have to pay for, BUT they are not crazy expensive. Also finding cheap places to eat is really easy because of Uber eats, but going shopping can be extremely expensive in San Jose. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Know the fees your bank will charge and know the conversion rate between dollars and Costa Rican colones. Make sure to find a cheap place to eat and don't eat out all the time. Also if you would like to go on excursions, make sure to plan out your finances before hand! |
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 |
I used Spanish every day I was in Costa Rica and I picked it up very fast. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | College Basico uno |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to your host family and don't be shy in class! These two are extremely important because doing these two will help increase your vocab tenfold before leaving the program :) |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known more about Costa Rican culture and holidays before I went on this program. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
