Costa Rica great hands on experience Past Review

By (Environmental Studies Ecosytems, SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Traveling - Tropical Forest Workshop

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a great trip. I learned the importance of sub tropical environments and their affect on the world.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Physically working on the topics being covered in the lecture help solidify your understanding of the subject.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All expectations were met great professor and assistants.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Slept in a cabin.

* Food:

Food was good but sometimes bland.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sleeping in the cloud forest and taking an eco tour were great aspects of the trip.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Smaller cities not used to having tourism meaning less chance of being robbed, some people got sick but medicine was available.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring extra money for food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

All of the local people in the area would help you develop your Spanish skills. Sometimes Spanish was need, because most people did not speak English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? People willing to get dirty and work.