Highs and Lows Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/04/2018 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica – Ecological Resilience Studies
Definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is a different kind of intense. Instead of sitting in the classroom, you are out and about. Because of the more physical aspect, you have to process more in the moment. |
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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? |
Cold showers, netting at top of walls so you could see light and hear others easily. Manageable, but not for people who really need their alone time. |
| * Food: |
AMAZING YUM YUM |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is not an immersion program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any issues, but others did. Seemed to act faster on some than others. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a wonderful experience, the academics were good, but it was emotionally taxing for me to be away from home. |
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) |
If you go out a lot, you spend money. If you stay in, you really don't need to. Food and lodging are provided. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can haggle if you like. |
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 |
It was not an immersion program, but there were opportunities to practice Spanish. |
| 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? | 200 level |
| 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? | Go and talk to the staff and faculty. |
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?
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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? | Dell laptops seemed to be the only ones that died from the humidity. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
