Costa Rica; Challenging and Beautiful Past Review

By (Biology, General., Presbyterian College) for

Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS): San Jose - Tropical Biology on a Changing Planet

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
100% yes!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The overall educational experience was excellent. However, there were not a lot of free days.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great!

* Food:

Lots of rice and beans.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I used about $700 for a 12 week trip. That was not being frugal, but also not spending like a mad man.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 202
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice Spanish with any of the students on the trip, especially the Costa Ricans that were with us. I didn't need to use it everyday, but I did. Everyone spoke English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Someone who does not mind hiking for 2 to 3 hours a day in the jungle.