Interview with the students in Quepos

Katrine (24):

– It has to be the trip to Longo Mai. We got to see in practice the things we learn about in our studies, and I was really inspired by the people we met there.

My first thought was that I just had to tell everyone back home in Norway about this experience! I also really enjoyed the excursion we took to Finca la Flor, an agroecological farm near Turrialba. These trips made the study program more exciting.

Maren (19):

– I think the weekend trips were the best, especially the trip to Santa Teresa. There were so many great cafés there, and the beach was really nice. It was fun to experience new places and get a bit of variety from everyday life in Quepos!

Ada (24):

“There are many highlights, but I think the best thing must be having seen so many different animals that don’t exist in Norway. I’ve seen lots of monkeys and parrots. In addition, I’ve seen a turtle, a crocodile, and a sloth.”

Katrine (24):

– During my first weeks in Costa Rica I was taking a Spanish course in San Isidro, and I think I like living in Quepos even better.

The best thing about Quepos is that there’s a lot to do here, the weather is nice all the time, and you can go to the beach often.

I love the vibe in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, with the beach life and surf culture.

Vilde (23):

– My best tip is not to bring too many clothes, because there are many great second-hand shops in Quepos.

You can buy most of what you need in Costa Rica, so don’t overpack!

In addition, you should pack in a backpack if you’re planning to travel after your studies. Bring some lightweight hiking shoes, but boots aren’t necessary.

If you’re picky about facial sunscreen, you should bring some extra from Norway, because it’s hard to find here, but you can buy sunscreen for your body here. Another tip is: make the most of your free time and go on weekend trips.

Katrine (24):

– If I’m going to give one piece of advice, it’s to familiarize yourself with the insurance terms and conditions of the company you choose. I had a bad experience with the insurance company I went with.

My insurance ended up being much more expensive than for many others in my program, because I was tricked into a more expensive policy than I actually needed.

So it’s a good idea to look into and compare different travel insurance policies and their prices, and to familiarize yourself with what activities they cover and whether they are valid for you as a student at a Norwegian university who lives abroad.

Ada (24):

“I’m going to miss the warm weather, but most of all all the fresh fruit and vegetables. The avocados and mangoes are really good here, especially the ones you get from the market!”

Maren (19):

– I’m going to miss all the people I’ve met, and stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing so many new things all the time.

Vilde (23):

If you love beautiful nature, you should definitely go to the Nauyaca waterfall. It’s a day trip from Quepos, so it’s easy to plan.

It was really great to go swimming there!

Ada (24):

I thought Santa Teresa was incredibly beautiful, so I recommend going there if you have the chance.

I liked the vibe there, and it was a lot of fun to surf there and do yoga. We had morning yoga on the beach, which was really great.

There were also many cute cafés, and the breakfasts in Santa Teresa after a surf session were especially good.

Maren (19):

“It’s a really great way to meet other people who also like to travel. On top of that, you have a lot of free time, so you get to experience an incredible amount over the course of a semester.”

We usually only had classes three days a week, which made it very easy to go away on the weekends and experience more places in Costa Rica.

Vilde (23):

– It’s a great opportunity to explore new places and get to know new people.

That said, there has actually been more work with the program than I had imagined beforehand, and the subject can be challenging, so you need to be prepared to put effort into your studies as well!

It’s not just a trip to the sun, so it’s important that you’re genuinely interested in the topics covered in the program.