Costa Rica: A Memorable Experience Past Review
By Ellen S (Elementary Education, Butler University) for
ISA Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica
I definitely consider this abroad experience worthwhile. I would do it all over again if I got the chance too, I learned so much along the way and made lifelong friends. It didn't feel like I was taking classes and gaining college credit, it felt like a really long vacation that I got to travel with my friends and experience new things together.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought the administration was fabulous. They were very knowledgeable about the classes we were taking, the country, and also the US as well. They were very helpful and welcoming to all of us in the program, they became our family in our time there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family, they provided more than what was expected of them by the program. They made sure that my roommate (also American) and I experienced Costa Rica to the fullest. They treated us like family and we grew very close and still keep in contact. The neighborhood was small and close to a bus stop, which was about a ten minute ride to school. Transportation was never an issue to class or nightlife. |
| * Food: |
I am a picky eater and I enjoyed almost all of the food made by my host mother and in the local restaurants. My host family made sure to provide me with a variety of traditional Costa Rican food so I could have a true experience. The American food that they had there was surprising, like Special K cereal! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program set up the majority of the weekend getaways and the last weekend was free for us to choose where to travel. The spots that the program chose were major tourist spots that are great to see and travel too, we were able to see both coasts, rain forests, and volcanoes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family did not speak English, so I had to practice my Spanish with them. They were very helpful and understanding when I was speaking to them. My teacher as ULACIT also did not speak English but we were always able to communicate. The local places usually did not speak English so Spanish was necessary but the touristy places we traveled to on the weekends spoke English so it was not as necessary. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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