Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Costa Rica! Past Review

By (Environmental Science., SUNY - Albany) - abroad from 03/06/2014 to 03/14/2014 with

Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about conservation in costa rica. I learned about agriculture. I learned about Costa Rican culture, and their food.

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.

I only went to Costa Rica for spring break, so I did not get the opportunity to take any classes. However, I did learn so much in the short amount of time I was there and I had to write a paper when I returned home.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host family I stay with was lovely. I stayed with a mother and her two small boys. Her cooking was amazing. One thing that I should mention, although it did not bother me, was that there is no air conditioning and there are a lot of bugs even in the house.

* Food:

Incredible. My host mother was a great cook and the food in costa rica is amazing every where.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did feel like we learned a lot about the local culture but I did not feel like I was apart of it. I did not speak the language so that was hard for me. If I had spent more time there, I think it would have been different.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were no health related issues while we were there.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while in my host city.

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)

This was different for me because we were there for a very short time. The only extra money we needed was money we were going to spend on souvenirs.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? None
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not go crazy with the souvenirs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Volunteering
  • Food
  • culture
* What could be improved?
  • none
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That this trip was going to change my life!

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 Adventurer
The 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.