Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Top-notch program...I highly recommend it Past Review

By (Environmental Science., Bucknell University) - abroad from 02/20/2014 to 05/10/2014 with

The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica – Ecological Resilience Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Carpool when taking taxis as much as possible, and don't always go to the main sports bar just because it's there. Explore the area and hang out with the locals for a more genuine experience. If you want to go out and have drinks they can tell you of better places to go.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

This is not an immersive program, so do not expect to really improve your Spanish communication skills just by participating in the program. You have to make yourself communicate in Spanish outside of class and interact with the local community if you really want to improve, and even then it is difficult to make significant progress.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intro to Latin American Literature
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? You do not need to have good Spanish communication skills to participate in this program. That being said, if you really want to improve your communication skills in another language for going abroad you should focus on speaking and listening in that language, because you will use those methods of communication the most. Taking high-level literature courses will not improve your speaking and listening communication skills the way conversing with other people in Spanish on a regular basis will.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My classmates and professors
  • Costa Rica
  • Living simply and sustainably
* What could be improved?
  • The male to female ratio
  • The amount of free time
  • The number of rigorous outdoor activities could be increased
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive sun screen and other toiletries are in other countries.

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 Adventurer
The 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.