Rivoting Past Review
By Austin Stanislawski (Northland Pioneer College) - abroad from 05/23/2018 to 06/23/2018 with
Modern Language Studies Abroad / MLSA: Study in Costa Rica at Universidad de Costa Rica
I learned so much that it was amazing. I got to see the rainforest something iv always wanted to see. Checked it off my bucket list.
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. |
It is quite intense, because I have not had previous experience in Spanish courses before and it was taught it mostly Spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very compassionate workers. I loved working with them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first house I was placed in was not that great as the mother was away most the time and so I got placed in another with roommates which was 10x better. |
| * Food: |
The food was good, but I was expecting more from the food. La Paz was by far the best food iv ever eaten. Hands down |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt so immersed that it was overwhelming, but that is the trick to this program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was a robbery with one of the students in the same area I was placed in so it was a bit scary, but you should not wear any flashy things in a poor country. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This was a once in a lifetime experience and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I will remember it for the rest of my life! |
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? | about 200 or more |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look for cheaper branded foods, once your there long enough you will know what those are. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| 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? | Practice with students and host mother if you can. |
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? | More spanish |
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. |
