An okay summer. Past Review
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Winona State University) - abroad from 06/06/2015 to 08/22/2015 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I became very appreciative of my life at home and that some people you meet from around the U.S. are not the best people.
Review Photos
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. |
The classes were alright, easier than i expected and the teachers were all very good. They mostly tried to help me succeed and get the grade I needed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I absolutely loved my directors and wish I could've spent more time with them personally. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great! But I would've preferred not to have other SOL students living with me. They were not the best people. |
| * Food: |
The food was okay, my host mom fed me with what I liked for the most part but I don't really enjoy costa rican food in general. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt somewhat integrated. It was more or so when I was with my Tico friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have experience with healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe for the most part, I walked to school, the gym and other places alone during the day and never felt unsafe. But at night it wasn't the best to be out and about alone. |
| 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) |
I thought I managed my money pretty well overall. I didn't buy unnecessary things. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't waste money on other food like I did. |
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 |
My directors encouraged us to speak spanish the whole time. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish level 300 |
| 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? | Practice, practice, practice! Meet locals and become friends with them. |
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? | To not overpack and try new things whenever you have the chance. |
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. |
