Awesome Experience Past Review
By Holly Hornback (University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh) - abroad from 05/13/2017 to 06/24/2017 with
Study Abroad Programs in Costa Rica
I gained a lot independence!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had a wonderful experience with SOL education. They are so helpful with everything and I had a lot of opportunities to explore Costa Rica. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were available to talk to every single day and they were awesome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house was close to the university and the host mom was absolutely wonderful!! |
| * Food: |
I loved everything about the food and I had many opportunities to try different things! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt that I was integrated in the culture by living with a host family. But I also felt that it was hard to get integrated with the culture while spending time with other U.S. citizens during excursions. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe at the university! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked SOL education. They are very organized and down-to-earth people. I am thinking about taking another program with them in the future. |
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 was able to live easily on a student's budget but I did get short on money towards the end because I was 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? | Money goes quickly. I didn't buy a lot of my own food or went out to eat because I wanted to save money and spend time with my host family. Traveling is the best way to spend your money! |
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 |
I spoke Spanish a lot during my classes and at my home but when not when we were on excursions. I ended up speaking a lot of English because there were other U.S. citizens there. |
| 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? | Advanced Spanish |
| 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? | Force yourselves and others to speak Spanish with you!! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | N/A |
