I would never study abroad through ISEP Costa Rica Past Review
By Hannah B (Spanish and Business Administration, Nebraska Wesleyan University) for
ISEP Exchange: Heredia - Exchange Program at Universidad Nacional
I gained some really close friends. Although I didnt aquire the Spanish language as well as I had hoped to, I still learned a lot. Especially about the culture. I really enjoyed traveling and that my boyfriend came to visit. I would study abroad again but not through a program and or stay with a host family.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Nacional |
| 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. |
Many of the classes were difficult because of the language difference but as far as taking anything away from the actual class, I only had 1 business class where I actually learned something and it was interesting and difficult educationally wise. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was very difficult to get ahold of our coordinator. She was rarely in her office. Whenever we asked a questions her response was rarely right. She went too much by the books. When I was having issues with my host family, she wasnt really there to help, when I needed it most. I would never want to have her as a coordinator again. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had to change host families since my first host mom was too strict with her rules that I couldnt read or listen to english things. They didnt feed me dinner or I couldnt communicate with family or friends back at home. My second host family, my host mom was too worried about talking herself and wouldnt let me put my two sense in. I couldnt use the internet to talk to my family or friends back at home. It just wasnt the experience I was expecting. |
| * Food: |
She followed everything well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There are tons of unexpected expenses through the university and visa charges so be prepared with lots of money. Many of the people in the program were not happy and some needed to borrow money since we had no clue about them. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 201 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Yes, we had to use the language everyday to get through the day. With our host families and in class. People spoke English along the coasts when we would travel but as far as the city, most only spoke Spanish or were afraid to try to speak English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would definately be prepared for unexpected charges. The coordinator is not very helpful so be prepared to figure things out on your own. |
