Overall - Reviews of Universidad National (UNA) | Costa Rica

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Alex C

Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Communication and Information Sciences, Undergraduate, Exchange program through a US based group called USAC

Overall

I wish I had known...

The cost of living was a bit higher than I expected, so i blew my budget. I should have done a bit of spanish study before i left, it would have made life a lot easier in the first couple of weeks.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

1

Costs

4

Activities

1

Campus life

1

Party / people

2

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

I dont look at it in relation to the University, i look at the class i took-First level spanish. If you want easy credits and to learn just the basics, this course is for you. However if you want to study seriously and get the most out of 4 months here, i suggest the program in Heredia (just outside San Jose) because the teach is organised focused and will push you!

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

1

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Costa Rica is a easy place to travel in and 5 hours on a bus will get you just about anywhere. There are some great places to visit, some full of tourists and others with no people at all. But for me the best thing about CR is the countries around it. Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatamala, Honduras ect ect... All within easy reach of CR, and for me, these countries were a lot more interesting than CR. So if you do a course in Puntarenas you can visit all these places and still get good grades.

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lvmac

San Fransisco State University, San Francisco, United States
Communication and Information Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

I wish that I had known how much money, realistically, I would have needed. had some kind of introduction to my family before being dumped into their hands--some/any info would have been great.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

4

Activities

3

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

If you are in early Spanish courses and you want to learn a lot and study hard-pick Heredia. If you want to learn, but aren't overly concered pick the Punt. Even though Puntarenas is by the ocean it's not paradise--it is nice, but not paradise.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Travel, travel, travel! Drink the water, it's just fine. talk to as many people as you can, watch TV and "read" papers in your host country's language. Go to events (sports, concerts, etc), it's a great place to learn foul language and get riled up. And try to enjoy the experiece not matter what, beacuse eventually you'll be home again.

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murphy3

Simpson College, Redding, United States
Education, Undergraduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

nothing.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

3

Campus life

1

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

Don't just take the literature courses. Be brave and check out some of the regular classes like science, math, and fine arts. You might be the only international student in the class, but you'll get a better appreciation for university life.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Definitely check it out!

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Jeffrey C

Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Humanities, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

JUST WISH I HAD MORE MONEY. tHere are things I want to experiance but dont have the resourses to do them.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

4

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

Most students come to study spanish. I found that in this program it depends on the teacher if the quailty of the course will be high. I was lucky. I enjoyed my time and my Spanish is much better but if you have a choice chosse you teacher carefully.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

2

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

2

Experienced a change in life

1

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Curu is a cool place. Uvita. Cauita. Females should be prepared for the latin males. Crime aganist tourists is rife in CR. DO NOT walk at night in SAN JOSE. And always try to take you bags inside the bus.

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