Pura Vida Past Review
By DaVonna M (Dance., Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 08/04/2014 to 08/17/2014 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Cross-Cultural Learning, Costa Rica
I learned that I have to try new things, not be afraid, and experience life in the best way that I can by taking risks and putting all fear aside.
Review Photos
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 a lot in this course and what we were studying was extremely relevant to what we were physically learning around us. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people in the country who were assisting us with our experience were doing all they could to expose us to things that we were curious about, and so much more. They tended to us and looked out for us very well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At first, I thought we were going to be staying in luxury places, so I was not very happy that we weren't. But I am glad that we didn't because had we done that my experience would not have been all that it was because I would not have wanted to go out and experience the culture. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing I ate beans and rice every day and I never got tired of it. The food was fresh and enjoyable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did my best while there to try and speak as much Spanish as possible and learn as much as I could about how they live and why they do the things that they do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We did not have to seek medical help for anything during this trip. I did not need any vaccines for this trip. |
| * Safety: |
Safety is very important. If you go anywhere you should always be in a group. During the day about 3 people should be together. At night you should move around in about groups of four or five. I would also say that if at all possible at night make sure there is a guy with the group. It just makes you feel a WHOLE lot safer. Be careful with your wallets and phones make sure your now flashing money around. Wear a moneybelt under your clothing. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It was fairly easy. You just have to budget based off of how much you want to spend. It's best to plan it out at the beginning of the trip and not wait until you are running low on money |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe $100, I did not spend much money at all |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I did sponsor sales, asked my church for donations, dinner sales, and of course asked mom |
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 |
We were encouraged to communicate using the Spanish language to the best of our ability. |
| 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? | I only took the basic level English courses |
| 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? | Learn commonly used terms like bathroom, please, thank you and common restaurant terminology also. It will be a lot easier to communicate. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Basic Spanish terminology |
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. |
