I Love Ticolandia!! Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 09/12/2013 to 09/10/2013 with
KIIS: Costa Rica - Experience Costa Rica, Summer Program
Ticos are AMAZING, beautiful people! 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses I took were not challenging. They were both art courses (Photography and Landscape Drawing) and so were therefore not so academically focused. I learned more from experiences outside of class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Program Director was fantastic. She is passionate about what she does, and has been doing it for many years. Very concerned about student safety, yet encourages students to find enriching experiences and adventures. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Extremely. We travelled around a lot in this program, but for the two longer stays (about a week each) we were with host families. These were the best moments of the trip. |
| * Food: |
I take off a half star because rice and beans every day, while delicious, did make me a little bloated for the month I was there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I absolutely felt like a member of the large Tico families during the two homestays. They were so welcoming and so eager to share their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't use the healthcare system. I got vaccinated for typhoid. Dengue fever (and Malaria, too, in the south) were of concern. Program director urged us to take precautions with mosquito nets and repellent. I however did come down with aches and a fever over the span of about 10 days, although I can't be sure that was related to Dengue. |
| * Safety: |
We were in small, agricultural communities for the longer stays in our program. However, we did visit a few cities where caution had to be taken going out alone or at night, especially as a female. Drugs were prevalent in Puerto Viejo and Bocas del Toro. |
| 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 |
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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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed a B.A. in Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | talk to your host families! |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | You should bring way more gifts from the US than you think you'll need--- because Tico families are big and have a lot of kids. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
