Pura Vida Past Review
By George A (International Affairs And Commerce, University of the Pacific) for
USAC Costa Rica: Heredia - Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies
I learned Spanish and all about how cultures change in different places.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teachers did a great job of integrating students with Costa Rican culture. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectation was met and the program directors were very involved always there to answer questions. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was provided and fully prepared when i arrived. |
| * Food: |
The only problem was the repetition of the food. It was always rice beans and some kind of meat. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We traveled a lot. One time we traveled for a week to Panama. We got to experience all of Bocas Del Toro and south of Costa Rica. We also went zip lining in Monte Verde. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Stay with a group and be aware because if you present an opportunity a thief will take advantage. |
| 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 on average as food was provided. This number was more when I took trips to other parts of the country. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of your money at all times small things add up. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | second semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Some people spoke English but Spanish was required in daily life and in your host family if you request it. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who loves to explore, learn and enjoying life. |
