International Center for Development Studies (ICDS)

ICDS truly made my study abroad experience the best it could have been. A big part of why I chose this program was its focus on sustainability and community engagement, and also the component of staying with a host family. In all of these areas ICDS exceeded my expectations. They did a great job in choosing families that fit well for each student. Throughout the program, ICDS made sure we were all comfortable at our home-stays and were willing to help in any situation. By the end of the program, my host family became like a second family to me. In addition, the focus of the classes were all connected and all had a sustainable, social justice component included. The community engagement work was also something very unique to this program and something that I learned a lot from. Overall, ICDS runs a very well-thought out, organized, educational, and fun program. The people who work for ICDS are also some of the best people I’ve met and are always willing to help or just chat!

The opportunities that came from the ICDS program study abroad led to my most amazing experiences in Costa Rica. The different cultural activities that we got to do and the classes and service learning component of the program helped me to immerse myself into this beautiful new country. ICDS also did a really good job of picking host families for myself and the other students. I had zero complaints throughout my time in Costa Rica. The ICDS program and staff members were always available for any questions and ready to help with anything. I left Costa Rica not only with new memories and knowledge but also new friends and important people in my life. I know I can turn to ICDS members even now that my program is over. My whole experience was smooth and unforgettable in the best way thanks to ICDS.

I had the time of my life in Costa Rica and I wish everyone could have a study abroad experience like I did. The Spanish classes were one of the most helpful things about the program because I was able to learn and practice my regular Spanish, but it also challenged me with specific medical vocabulary and how to talk to patients. I definitely left Costa Rica a much better Spanish speaker than when I arrived. I liked the rotations and community service that we did. I appreciate it more now that I'm back in the United States and I'm working more in hospitals here. Learning about how different the health care system is there has definitely changed how I think about things in my current rotations. I travelled around Costa Rica with the program a couple weekends and with other students on our own trips other weekends. I loved the all the beaches on the Pacific Coast and Monteverde, but coming from a city, I appreciated being based more downtown for classes with more things to do and places to go. I didn't have any issues with safety like others, but I'm used to the city and more people around. I had great homestay parents too. I felt like part of the family throughout my whole stay. If there was ever anything I didn't know or needed help with, my homestay family or someone from ICDS was there to help.

My experience in Costa Rica through the ICDS program was a life-changing journey. The classes were useful and relatable, and the trips we took were breath-taking. I refined my Spanish and was encouraged to speak Spanish everywhere possible. The food was AMAZING, and everyone within the program and the country was talkative and friendly. Prior to the program, I was deciding whether I should have applied to Costa Rica or a Spain program, but I decided on Costa Rica because of my interest in underrepresentation in third-world countries, as well as the nature, and both of those interests were sufficed. I would recommend studying abroad to everyone interested in traveling, but I recommend the ICDS Costa Rica program to anyone interested in an immersive, picturesque experience.

To start off, I would recommend the program itself, but not this staff. The staff for the ICDS program were not very helpful and were abrasive or harsh with students at times. They are also highly unorganized. I am not the only one in my program (out of nineteen students) who has felt like this. After talking to many of my fellow students, a lot of us felt uncomfortable with the staff because they would be harsh or critical of questions we would ask them. The "counselor" would become heated at times which I find as unprofessional. The staff would be critical if a student makes ANY sort of mistake. We are human. We are prone to error. There was not one moment where I felt completely comfortable with the staff. When having trouble with my host family situation a few days after the program ended, the staff offered no help whatsoever and wanted to have "clean hands" away from the situation. This is very stressful for a student abroad since we are alone. The staff wants to maintain a good face but is deteriorating from the inside. Although the program itself was fun, you cannot depend on the ICDS staff. Please be wary.