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Able to discover what an AIFS Overseas program in Costa Rica is like? We lately spoke with Camryn from the College of South Carolina, who studied overseas within the Central American metropolis of San José in the course of the spring semester.
Uncover how Spanish, sustainability, and “pura vida” got here collectively for a transformative semester overseas in Costa Rica!
When you select to examine overseas, it’s a must to determine the place and when to go. Happily, AIFS Overseas offers you entry to dozens of wonderful cities all over the world; plus, quite a few phrases to select from — examine overseas within the fall, spring, summer time, January Time period, or Winter Quarter! Right here’s why Camryn selected San José:
“I selected Costa Rica due to the programs provided on the College, and the way intently associated they’re to my main (Environmental Research). Certainly one of my foremost targets was to broaden my perspective of sustainability, and I wished to find out about Costa Rican practices and be surrounded by like-minded people. I’ve additionally taken Spanish courses all through my life, so I wished a Spanish-speaking nation. I might extremely suggest this program to others as a result of Costa Rica is an incredible nation. There are completely different locations to go each weekend, the AIFS Overseas workers listed below are extraordinarily supportive, and the deliberate AIFS journeys are value it as nicely.”
Whenever you examine overseas is completely as much as you. In the event you’re like Camryn, your resolution will make sure you don’t miss soccer season again house!
“In the course of the fall semester, soccer is a large [part of] our college tradition. I wished to check overseas within the spring in order that I wouldn’t miss a semester of the soccer season. Additionally, the spring semester in Costa Rica is their dry season, so there may be the least quantity of rain annually from January – April. The climate is gorgeous right here: February was round 75-80, and now it’s about 80-85 levels Fahrenheit. Each weekend, there was a unique place to journey to, and I’ve actually loved my time right here this semester.”
Teachers Overseas
One of many largest benefits of learning overseas is attending to expertise a brand new tutorial tradition and taking courses that might not be out there at your own home college. Under, Camryn describes her expertise at Universidad Veritas:
“I like that my host establishment provides all kinds of courses regardless of being a really small college. These courses enchantment to [many] college students from a broad spectrum of nations and beliefs. I additionally loved how small the courses are, between 7-12 college students. This dimension felt very intimate, and we labored collectively fairly often. The professors have been additionally extra approachable as a result of there have been fewer college students in every class. The construction of sophistication work was very attention-grabbing. Not one of the courses had exams or quizzes; as a substitute, we every had a number of shows all through the course or different varieties of work. Lastly, Veritas has extracurricular actions. For instance, I paid $40 for 12 yoga courses, and there are free volleyball video games each Monday evening the place anybody can be part of.”
Hear Camryn clarify her programs in additional element:
“I took Spanish 201: Intermedio 1 Gramatica y Conversacion (4 credit), Local weather Change Impacts and Variations (4 credit), Costa Rican Environmental Coverage (4 credit), and Methods Pondering and Sustainability (3 credit). My favourite class is Costa Rican Environmental Coverage. We had group tasks on campus that [felt] actually impactful.
The programs have been comparable in [how the] materials was introduced—normally via PowerPoints. Nonetheless, there have been many various elements, akin to the educational technique, the place exams are changed with shows, documentary evaluation, and group work. Veritas is completely different from what I’m used to, contemplating that the professors listed below are additionally very laid again. They’re extra lenient with deadlines, they usually have a unfastened syllabus that’s versatile.”
As an AIFS Overseas Inexperienced Ambassador, these Environmental Research programs have been completely aligned along with her efforts in Costa Rica!
Private & Skilled Progress
Finding out overseas is a wonderful method to change into extra unbiased and to develop as an individual whereas additionally setting your self up for future tutorial {and professional} success. As Camryn explains:
“I’m glad that I selected to enroll at Veritas as a result of I’m having fun with my environmentally centered courses. These courses have solidified my future targets to work with sustainability. Being immersed in a unique tradition has broadened my perspective of sustainability, and I hope to foster these connections between folks within the US. The nation’s phrase, ‘Pura Vida’ has actually resonated with me, and I’ve grown as an individual discovering that I don’t want fancy issues to take pleasure in life. I’ve had a lot enjoyable exploring this nation and the pure wonders that it has to supply. By pushing myself out of my consolation zone, I created new friendships and related with all of my professors and the AIFS Overseas workers. I’ve improved my professionalism and communication abilities all through my courses, with all of my assignments being group work and shows.”
Language Studying
Language fluency isn’t required for almost all of our applications. For Camryn, learning overseas in Costa Rica and taking Spanish language courses allowed her to enhance her present Spanish abilities:
“Whereas this program is in a Spanish-speaking nation, it’s not required to know Spanish earlier than attending. I do have earlier expertise with the Spanish language, however there are college students in my program with no expertise. At Veritas, we have been required to take not less than one language class, and we took a placement examination and oral interview for our appropriate stage. I took Intermedio 1: Gramatica y Conversacion. That is equal to Spanish 201, so I’m at an intermediate stage. In Costa Rica, many individuals communicate not less than somewhat little bit of English, so it’s comparatively straightforward to speak. At Veritas, there are loads of courses which are taught in English, and a few are additionally taught in Spanish. There are various choices relying in your language stage.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas applications. Camryn was very completely satisfied along with her homestay:
“I lived with a number household, and I extremely suggest this feature. I acquired breakfast and dinner on daily basis, and my host mother has a fridge the place my roommate and I have been allowed to maintain groceries for lunch. Additionally, the AIFS Overseas workplace proper subsequent to campus has a fridge, pantry, and kitchenette for college students to make the most of throughout their operational hours. My host household could be very good, and the household is extraordinarily welcoming. Their home can also be a few 10-minute stroll to the college, and Veritas has a shuttle that operates all through the day.”
As Camryn defined, AIFS Overseas housing is conveniently situated close to your host establishment, so that you by no means must go far in your courses!
Cultural Appreciation
Whenever you examine or intern overseas, you’ll naturally immerse your self in a brand new tradition. As you get extra conversant in it, your understanding will develop, and also you’ll probably discover some elements of the tradition that go away a deep impression on you. As Camryn explains:
“I appreciated how variety and welcoming they’re, and all Costarricense (Costa Ricans) are very variety. Their tradition is ingrained with particular phrases of endearment akin to their phrase instead of ‘you’re welcome’ which is ‘con gusto.’ This interprets to ‘with pleasure’ or ‘my pleasure,’ they usually use the phrase ‘Pura Vida’ fairly often as a method to say you’re welcome or take pleasure in.
The Pura Vida life-style is my favourite cultural expertise. Whereas this will appear very broad, I actually love their tradition of welcoming, endearment, love, and ease. They don’t want luxurious to take pleasure in their lives, and I’ve loved attending to know my host household very nicely. I went to a farmer’s market with them one weekend the place I noticed the domestically grown meals being bought for natural consumption and supporting native farmers. I additionally [danced] with individuals who loved educating my pals and I Latin American dances.”
Taking Journeys & Making Buddies Overseas
AIFS Overseas provides day journeys and excursions included within the worth of each examine overseas program. These journeys assist deepen your understanding of your host nation and typically take you to neighboring nations. As Camryn explains, these journeys are sometimes the proper alternative to make pals with different AIFS Overseas individuals:
“My favourite journey was to Manuel Antonio [National Park] as a result of I actually wished to see as a lot wildlife as attainable. It was so superior to have a guided tour via the nationwide park, in addition to have loads of free time to ourselves. I beloved that this nationwide park is a seashore city as nicely, so my pals and I have been in a position to spend private time on the seashore, too. All of the excursions have been nicely deliberate, and the itineraries have been extraordinarily useful. The locations we visited have been stunning, and I loved every one.
I didn’t know anybody in my program earlier than attending, and it was very straightforward to make pals. The vast majority of the scholars in my program are very social, and everyone seems to be seeking to make pals simply as a lot as I used to be. Additionally, with the deliberate AIFS Overseas journeys all through the month of February, everybody turned nearer on these journeys the place all of us interacted and frolicked collectively.”
Are you a scholar able to take the leap and examine overseas like Camryn did in San José with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that will help you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students examine overseas. Our applications are extremely inclusive, which takes loads of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in understanding you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
