Costa Rica Study Abroad: One of the Best Experiences of my Life! Past Review

By (BA Theology: Missions, Oral Roberts University) for

University of Costa Rica: San Jose - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can now speak spanish, impress those who speak spanish in the USA, my worldview of cultures has enlarged my personality and my thinking.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: costa rica university
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Amazing teachers! Loved the program. I spoke fluent spanish within a month!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everything was perfectly planned and organized. I always felt safe and in the loop. Great students from the United States. Great field trips to enlarge the experience of the country. This is probably one of the best programs ive been apart of!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Amazing older couple family. Spoke only spanish. Very hospitable! Made me breakfast and dinner. Treated me like their own daughter. Safe neighborhood. Close to school, mall, lots of entertainment.

* Food:

Food was great! Mostly homemade meals with fresh galore or fruits and vegetables.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Field trips to many tourist/great attractions of Costa Rica.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe!did not have to consider or think about 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)

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?

most people did not speak english. I spoke spanish with my teachers and host family the entire time.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you really would like to learn and master the language, go abroad with friends who have the same desires, live with host family that only speaks spanish, and don't be shy to be involved with every experience they offer you. Always speak spanish! Do not allow yourself to mingle with english friends. Receive the ultimate experience by living and thing spanish.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

spanish

Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Calderon
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: amazing! grealty structured with great teachers who love to teach spanish
Credit Transfer Issues: none