Avis sur Universidad National (UNA)

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.

I wish I had been forewarned about some of my professors. One professor absolutely hated Americans, and he made my life miserable. I only needed a few core course requirements to complete my program, and they fell into the category of general studies. I took one class in Art because it was required. The professor expected everyone in his class to be an artist and have an insatiable love for art. I didn't, and I came very close to failing.

The lower level Spanish courses were not very challenging and should have been, for our benefit as students and visitors to a foreign country. The tropical ecology course was great though--we covered a lot of topics and I came away much more informed about the CR, its environment and people. Many of the toics in this course impacted me--I am much more sensitive and fired up about deforestation and pollution. Take dance. It is such an integral part of Costa Rican socialization.

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.