Best semester of college January 10, 2022
By Rian Fried (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/30/2022 to 12/30/2021 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Costa Rica – Ecological Resilience Studies
Other than the information from the classes, I learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my future. I also gained valuable international experience as I have never spent that much time anywhere as an outsider. I became more culturally aware and it was absolutely worthwhile.
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. |
The educational experience as a whole was very good considering the Covid-19 circumstances. As it was there first semester reopening, there was a few obstacles that were presented to the teaching staff but they were usually able to handle it relatively quickly. The workload was not overly difficult and usually interesting. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As Covid-19 was present, many of the cultural integration activities were removed but we still regularly visited town and had a fun experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The staff were incredibly kind and cared about you deeply. This is also a very unique program so the students I attended it with were all similarly minded and we became very good friends. |
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) |
The essentials were primarily covered by SFS, specifically food. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken AP Spanish in high school |
| 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? | When you go into town use it as much as possible with the locals. You may make mistakes but they are understanding and can be very helpful. |
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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| 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? | I wish I had known more about the climate there. I was really nervous going during rain season but it is actually extremely beautiful and sunny every morning. The rain comes only in the afternoon when we do classwork inside. |
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. |
