I Fell in Love with the Happiest and One of the Most Biodiverse Countries Past Review
By Kelsey D (Nursing., Anderson University) - abroad from 05/30/2014 to 07/12/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gained an appreciation and understanding of a whole new culture! I was able to improve my Spanish conversational skills by hanging out my host family, as well as tour the beautifully diverse country of Costa Rica. SOL Education Study Abroad programs are definitely worthwhile, and I would absolutely love to study and travel with them again! I left a piece of my heart in Costa Rica after living there for just 6 short weeks, which can (in part) be attributed to the guidance and learning facilitated by SOL Education Abroad.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! It helped having a house brother close to my age, as well. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved hanging out with my host family and their friends. They taught me a lot about their culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe walking to school during the day. However, I do not recommend walking around alone at night. |
| 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) |
It's easy to spend a minimal amount if you do not want to travel anywhere. However, because I was there I wanted to make the most of my experience by seeing the most I could! This made it a little more expensive, but still very affordable for traveling. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Public transportation is very cheap! I recommend utilizing the bus systems to tour the country. Hotels and hostels can be cheap as well if you find the right ones and are able to split the cost with a few friends. |
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? | 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? | Advanced courses (300 level) |
| 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? | Hang out with your host family and their friends! I learned the most from them and was able to allow them to practice their English while I practiced my Spanish! |
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? | That I would fall in love with Costa Rica after living there for just 6 weeks. I was really nervous before I left because I didn't really know what to expect living in a foreign country without previously knowing anyone. I had the time of my life, though! |
