Best, affordable Spanish immersion program Past Review
By Karley C (Lakeland 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 loved all of the cultural differences and I would love to go again!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned lots from my professor and LOVED my small class size. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the program administrators care deeply about seeing students engage, learn, succeed and safely enjoy their time in CR! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family always made me feel like just that, family. As a vegetarian, I felt included in every meal as my host mom ensured there was plenty of food I could eat and would never be left hungry. Our house was very nicely kept and exceeded my expectations. |
| * Food: |
My host mom always made sure there was enough vegetarian food for me. Apparently, I “eat like a baby bird”! Haha. But I love the gallo pinto! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated at my homestay and with my host mom, but it wasn’t really difficult, just a little awkward, to try to approach and meet tico students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I think i had a typhoid vaccine, but all was well. |
| * Safety: |
San José is just like any US city in terms of Safety. Remain diligentl and exercise caution by traveling in pairs or larger groups, keeping your belongings where you can see them... etc. However, in San José crimes of opportunity due occur- It is necessary to use uber or taxi (preferably uber) as soom as dark hits just to ensure you dont look like a vulnerable tourist out for a stroll. |
| 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 |
All the time in class and with my host family, but rarely with the group of American students I hung out with. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Junior level 310 |
| 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? | Force yourself to speak the language even with your housemate and with friends! |
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? | 0 |
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? | Just make the most of every opportunity to speak Spanish and to stay after the program ends to travel! |
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.' |
