My Experience in San Jose, Costa Rica Past Review
By Michelle i (History, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) for
ISA Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica
It was extremely worthwhile. I took in about four semesters of Spanish and challenged my levels of comfort. I feel more adaptable, flexible, and capable of being in a foreign place. Going to Costa Rica jump-started my interest in environmentalism. I left with fond memories of my host family (and the food) that I will always remember.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The language instruction was great -- I had nice professors through all three levels. My elective was so-so. The guy was professionally knowledgeable but didn't have a teacher's personality. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pri Rodriguez was extremely caring, efficient, and hardworking. I'm so glad she was the woman on the job. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We signed up for a host family and were placed with an awesome host mom and daughter. The neighborhood was nice -- we were told it was middle class in Costa Rican standards. We were also warned about being careful at night. The warnings were so vehement that I found myself staying in most nights, although in retrospect, I don't think this had to be the case. It took about 15 minutes to walk to class. Every day we had sprint across a mini-highway, which is a funny memory now. We did not have to buy much to settle in. Our host family provided everything we needed. Personal toiletries were the only items I had to purchase, in terms of household goods. We were treated amazingly by our host family! Our host mom loved us like her children and fed us very well. |
| * Food: |
I love to eat and I'm not picky, so food satisfaction was high for me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We did a lot of eco-tours on weekends and visited a few beaches as well. The foliage and natural formations (volcanoes, waterfalls) were most memorable and beautiful. |
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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? |
No
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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? |
Host mom, host sister, teachers, restaurants, grocery stores |
| 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be open-minded. Enjoy the beauty of the environment around you. Build bonds with your host family. Take the time to do what you really want to do during those few months. |
