Pura Vida Past Review
By A student (Communication and Media Studies, Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne / IPFW) - abroad from 05/29/2015 to 07/05/2015 with
ISEP Exchange: Heredia - Exchange Program at Universidad Nacional
I learned that I am very lucky to have what I have. I have a way better understanding of the Spanish language and a completely different outlook on the world. The best part of the program was the community service week in Altamira, I wish it would have been more than a week because it was such a humbling experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Universidad Nacional was a great University to study at, the student body was very diverse and the professors were very helpful. I learned a ton of Spanish, more than I ever could here in the United States. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I felt that the program coordinator was very strict and did not like the students in the program very much. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! My host mother was very hospitable and I was provided everything I needed to be comfortable. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing! Obviously there were some things that were just too different for me to enjoy, but for the most part the meals were wonderful. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program did a great job of integration with the local culture. Most of our excursions were guided by locals and that was a great opportunity for conversation. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I thankfully never had to access healthcare while abroad, but I did know where to go in case anything happened. The clinic was within walking distance from where I lived. Costa Rica did not have any prevalent health issues and vaccines were not required for this program. I definitely needed a ton of bug spray though. |
| * Safety: |
At first I felt very unsafe in Heredia because it was so different from my own city. But, after living there for awhile I felt very comfortable walking places alone, asking people for directions, help, etc. However, it was highly advised to not go out alone at night. If I went out after dark I made sure I was with a group of people. |
| 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) |
I hardly spent any money while abroad. The only large amounts of money I did spend were on gifts for my family and trips to the beach. I did not pay for transportation because everything was within walking distance and I did not pay for food because that was included in the program fee. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Only eat out if it is necessary, my biggest expense ended up being all the times I went out to eat when I had a free meal at home I could have optioned for. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The program was very encouraging, however there were students with different skill levels in my program so most of the excursions and other group activities were conducted in English. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 112 |
| 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 everyday! They will be the most patient with you and they will teach you how to say things the right way. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Heredia is a very busy city, before going there I did not expect to see so many cars, buses, trains, etc. Public transportation is how everyone gets around there. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
