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Other names:
University of Costa Rica

Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)

Universidad de Costa Rica, Tropical Studies Program, Golfito, COSTA RICA
3.91 / 5 based on 24 reviews.

Reviews
International Partners
Programmes
Accreditations
76% of students recommend
24 reviews
Housing
4.2/5
 All experiences (24)
Student life
4.0/5
 5 stars (12)
Academic
3.8/5
 4 stars (6)
Languages
4.0/5
 3 stars (6)
Expenses
3.8/5
 2 stars (0)
Overall
4.3/5
 1 star (0)
“Be open and ready for anything if you go to Golfito - explore all you can! The people of Costa Rica are amazing and the country itself is too. The south Pacific coast (where Golfito is) is the most untouched part of the country luckily so explore all you can while there (as a lot of the rest of the country is being spoiled by tourism). The Osa Peninsula is amazingly beautiful - check out Cabo Matapalo. Also Pavones on the other side of the Golfo Dulce. Enjoy! I wish I could do it again!!!” Read Review
kshimoda, United States

Universidad de Costa Rica review by Kelly

Review by Kelly, Brown University, Providence, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, University Agreement
HOUSING    
Personal assessment
Cost
KEY:
Couldn't have asked for more.
Pretty good.
Could've been better, but didn't lessen the overall experience.
Disappointing.
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why? This is the only option in Golfito. Finding an apartment on your own would be difficult and the conditions might not be the best. The families who host exchange students usually live in the nicest/safest area of town.
Personal comments:
Living with a host family was an amazing experience - I highly recommend it to anyone studying abroad! This is the best way to fully immerse yourself in a country/culture, understand the people, and learn a language as well!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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STUDENT LIFE    
Personal social experience
Activities
KEY:
Amazing! Hardly had time to study.
Plenty to do when I had the time.
So-so.
Did not get involved.
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community
Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal comments:
Golfito is a small town - basically one road long - the thatched-roof open-air bars were my favorite. Coconuts Restaurant if you crave pancakes and hamburgers. Seafood restaurants abound and are very fresh! Playa Zancudo is a great day trip!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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ACADEMIC       3.5 / 5
My academic experiences
Quality of courses
KEY:
Fantastic.
Pretty good.
Could've been a bit better.
Disappointing.
Variety of courses
Availability/access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with other international students
Interaction with local students
Course recommendations:
There are only a few courses offered every semester - all of them hands-on. Classes take place in the rainforest, on boats, visiting villages, observing birds, catching butterflies, interviewing people - it's an amazing way to learn! You have to be willing to sweat a bit, but it's absolutely worth it!



My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
KEY:
Liked it.
It was alright.
A bit annoying.
Didn't like it.
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course.
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
Personal comments:
The Spanish classes could have been better - but perhaps they have improved since I was there.

This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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Language difficulties
Social
KEY:
No problems.
I coped pretty well.
Sometimes it was difficult.
It was a constant struggle.
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Personal comments:
All courses are in Spanish, which was great. I was not an advanced speaker, but still coped very well. Living with a host family definitely helped!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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EXPENSES    
The accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
KEY:
Very easy.
Minimal effort.
Accessible but required effort.
Almost impossible.
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
None
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits:
Everything is cheaper in Costa Rica (than it is in the U.S.) - take advantage of that fact and travel!!
Telephone: was the same price as at home.
Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Housing: was less expensive than at home.
Personal comments:
Everything was cheaper, so you barely have to make an effort to save money in Golfito.
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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OVERALL    
Important to choosing this university...
Academic reasons
KEY:
Very Important.
Important.
Not really important.
Unimportant.
Culture
Costs
Activities
Campus life
Party / people
Weather / Location
I wish I had known...
It would have been good to know what to bring - if you go in the rainy season (I did) bring lots of water proof stuff, ziploc baggies, bug spray, sunscreen, bathing suit. You don't really need malaria pills (they are usually recommended). You really don't need much, so take out half the things in your bag after you've packed. Be prepared -- it is hot down there!!
In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!



During my experience abroad, I ...
Became familiar with another culture
KEY:
Happened all the time.
Happened quite a lot.
Happened a bit.
Didn't happen.
Traveled
Improved language skills
Met people from other countries
Became more independent
Partied a lot
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies/career
Personal recommendation:
I loved my experience in Golfito - it is an amazing place, absolutely beautiful! The most diverse wildlife, incredible ocean views, beaches. The method of teaching is so unique. It was the highlight of my college career!



FINAL COMMENTS

Be open and ready for anything if you go to Golfito - explore all you can! The people of Costa Rica are amazing and the country itself is too. The south Pacific coast (where Golfito is) is the most untouched part of the country luckily so explore all you can while there (as a lot of the rest of the country is being spoiled by tourism). The Osa Peninsula is amazingly beautiful - check out Cabo Matapalo. Also Pavones on the other side of the Golfo Dulce. Enjoy! I wish I could do it again!!!
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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