Feeling like a kid, while growing up so much! Past Review
By Desirae A (Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, University of Nevada - Reno) - abroad from 12/26/2014 to 01/16/2015 with
USAC Costa Rica: Puntarenas - Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies
I learned that there is SO MUCH to explore and that the world is so much bigger than the little things we let get to us.
Review Photos
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. |
My Spanish course was challenging, but rewarding. We practiced speaking A LOT during class because there were so few students. I never thought I'd be able to speak in Spanish for hours. Every assignment had a purpose and our teacher was passionate about teaching the language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were helpful with questions that ranged from our academics, to what activities we should do on our free time. They were always approachable and helpful until the very end! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was most hesitant about living with a host family and this ended up being my favorite part of the whole experience. Even though I was there for a short amount of time, I felt like I was a part of the family! |
| * Food: |
Fresh, inexpensive and delish! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My host family was extremely welcoming and helpful with practicing my Spanish. The other students and I stood out, but the Ticos were nothing but helpful and kind everywhere we went. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any issues |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Costa Rica. I followed the same guidelines I follow in the States--don't walk alone or leave anywhere with someone I just met, |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I could have spent less money, but I wanted to buy a lot of souvenirs and try a lot of the different street food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money before you go abroad so that you don't have to be on such a tight budget when you're abroad. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | 211 |
| 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? | Let go of your hesitations or embarrassment and just go for it. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes. |
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? | Wintermester is not long enough, so if you can, go for a whole semester or summer. If wintermester is your only option, STILL DO IT-totally worth it! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
