Costa Rica: The Home I Always Dreamed Of Past Review

By (spanish, University of South Dakota) for

Latin American University of Science and Technology (ULACIT): San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Every second was the best time of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Our phonetics teacher Harold was the best teacher I've ever had. We would play guesstures to learn how to speak under pressure and sometime the whole two hours of class we would just sit and talk and correct every single word we said... it was amazing, the best learning environment I've ever had.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I love Sadey.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I think I had one of the best experiences a study abroad students could ever ask for. I love my host family and still talk to them everyday, even after a year has past. Living in our house was mi mama, brother and sister, an American student from Chicago who became my best friend, and two Swedish girls. We all got along great and spent a lot of time together. The other student and I had our own apartment connected to the house so it was the perfect situation to aid with culture shock. By day we were Costa Rican and by night we hung out like we were back in the states. Best situation possible.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Best experience of my life. My all time favorite moments were white water rafting Pacures or swimming around and behind La Fortuna waterfall.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Choose ULACIT, choose Adriana Pachecho for your host mother, and bring a great attitude.