A Life Changing Expierence Past Review
By Elizabeth M (Spanish, Winona State University) - abroad from 08/30/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
During this trip I learned a lot about myself and about the world. I improved my Spanish and saw so much of Costa Rica. this is a life changing experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
When you arrive in Costa Rica you get to work with some of the best directors in the world |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
the mama ticas here in Heredia are awesome they are amazing cooks and the rooms are decent sized. |
| * Food: |
the food in Costa Rica is amazing and the mama ticas can cook like queens |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
at the university it is possible to take classes with locals and that helps but they always seem to know if you are a gringo or not but it gets better if you start to use tico fastion |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
the directors are there to help with any and all health issues. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
some stuff in Costa Rica is the same price or more expensive than in the US but if you shop in the central markets it gets cheaper |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-150 |
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 |
repeate Español Por favor, you will hear this from the directors all the time |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 level class |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | talk with your host family, also talk with other study abroad students in 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? | I wish I had spoken more spanish while i was here |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
