Past Review

By (Biology and Plan II, The University of Texas at Austin) for

University of Texas - Austin: Traveling - Plan II Biology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was more than worth it. I learned what true conservation does (and does not) look like, everything there is to know about coffee, and that there are no quick fixes in life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

We were constantly learning. The workload was very light, but I learned more than I have in any other class I've ever taken.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The trip went smoothly, especially for the first time this Maymester course was ever done.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Various hotels that ranged from extremely basic to resort-like, Sirena Field Station, Monteverde Biological Field Station, CATIE dormitories ...All housing felt safe an live-able. <br /><br /> Housing changed so frequently that it was never a big concern.

* Food:

Rice and beans for every meal can get old about 3 weeks in, but it's not the worst food, just bland.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Making chocolate with the indigenous BriBri people was probably one of my favorite activities of the entire trip. I also appreciated all of the swimming opportunities--in rivers, swimming holes, waterfalls, and the ocean.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety never particularly felt like an issue. It was helpful that Moon was a medic. Our group passed around a rather unfortunate GI infection, but I think that Moon and Ruth did the best that they could to handle the situation.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I was surprised that we only ever slept one person to a bed, even in double or queen beds. I know that plenty of people would not have minded sharing a (larger) bed to cut down on the number of hotel rooms. I also would have been okay with staying in more basic hotels, as long as they were still safe. I also think that we could have eaten at fewer expensive restaurants; I would have been fine with just going to the grocery store.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would advise you to get a really good pair of quick-dry pants, a quality rain jacket, and shirts you don't mind throwing away at the end of the program.