SFS Costa Rica: A summer of unforgettable expieriences Past Review
By A student (Yale University) - abroad from 06/03/2013 to 07/01/2013 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica – Ecological Resilience Studies
Being a part of SFS was a moving experience. It inspired me and made me stronger in many ways. If you love environmental studies and want to truly practice what you preach, you will enjoy this program. This program is all about hands on learning, and not so much having an intense textbook memorization session for 4 weeks. You will definitely practice a lot of what you learn (through a conservation lab, carbon sequestration measurements, national park opinion surveying). Doing independent research abroad is a huge confidence builder, as well.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements can be tight (two bunk beds). Our summer there were only 2 to a room, however. |
| * Food: |
There is a lot of fresh produce available daily, and essentially no processed food (which is really nice!). There are plenty of vegetarian options. The food options are repetitive, but I personally didn't mind. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety advice/rules are emphasized at the beginning of the program, as well as on every trip. There are also cautious rules on campus to help ensure your safety (ie closed shoes after dark). I felt safe. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $0-$15 (completely optional) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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 knew how fast time would fly by. There was a lot I though I'd be able to do and did not. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
