Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Quin's Great Experience in Costa Rica! May 22, 2023

By (qso10@albion.edu, Albion College) - abroad from 01/22/2023 to 04/21/2023 with

Arcos Learning Abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica (International Polytechnic University)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about Costa Rican culture and I learned how Spanish is spoken in Costa Rica and how it compares to how Spanish is spoken in Mexico and in the U.S. for example. The experience was worthwhile as I formed many relationships that I think will last my entire life and I would do the experience again in a heartbeat.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Arcos Learning Abroad was a great program to do my study abroad through and I am so glad that I got to go to Mexico and Costa Rica and I would definitely go back to a different location with Arcos if I ever have the opportunity to do so to practice my Spanish and to have the experience of living in another Spanish speaking country.

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced Spanish: Mexican History
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? Being in a place and culture where they speak the language is the best way to practice the language that you are trying to learn and the language that the people in whatever country you are going to speak.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The people I met.
  • The places I saw.
* What could be improved?
  • The way the academics are taught in the classroom.
  • Communication between the directors and the students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I now know that the Spanish of Costa Rica is very similar to Mexican Spanish and I had an idea that it was but I wish I knew that beforehand.