Incredible opportunity to dive into the world of conservation biology Past Review
By A student (University of Vermont) - abroad from 06/20/2016 to 08/02/2016 with
Round River Conservation Studies: Costa Rica – The Osa Peninsula
Three new courses worth of knowledge, language skills, field work experience, and literature review knowledge.
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
Food was fantastic and better than I anticipated for field camp living. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved learning about the Osa from people who were born and raised there. |
|
* 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
The birds and mammals and other wildlife is incredible here coupled with incredible flora. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | little to none unless we wanted extra food and drinks |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find a way to exchange and get the best rate. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I wish I had learned even more but I was very eager to learn more Spanish on my own. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish third year |
| 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? | Speak to more native language speakers |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You only really need two pairs of shoes. Boots and camp sandals. My hiking boots, sneakers, and cloth sandals all got destroyed and we barely wore anything but boots in the field and sandals in camp. |
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. |
