A Journey to Self-Enlightenment by Enriching myself in Another Culture Past Review
By Dima Karaki (University of Hartford) - abroad from 09/10/2017 to 12/21/2017 with
AIFS: Athens - American College of Greece
I gained so much more knowledge about the culture, food, music, people and I even made so many friends that I still keep in touch with. It was very worthwhile and it made me so appreciative and grateful.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses themselves weren't very work heavy- there wasn't a lot of homework that was given out- however this made it easier to focus on the materials and not stress about due dates or busy work. It made me want to study more and actually know what I am learning about. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied with the living arrangements. We had a very spacious apartment that had a kitchen in where we were provided with utensils and dish wear. If we ever had any problems such as a broken sink, or a lightbulb went out, facilities would fix it within the hour. The staff were also the friendliest people ever! |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It did take me a while to get used to the social culture here, mainly because Greek students are so much different than American students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was a nurse that could almost always be reached, and this came in handy with a lot of people that I knew because even if they were just sick, they were being helped. I had an experience with healthcare where my resident director, Alice Anas, took me to the hospital, translated everything for me, and didn't leave my side. Something like this wouldn't happen in my home country, where someone would constantly be checking up on us and even take us to the hospital, we would have to do everything on our own. |
| * Safety: |
The area where I lived in felt very safe because it wasn't very close to down-town Athens, where non life-threatening riots tended to be a very common reoccurrence. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Food was a large proponent of where my money went so I had forced myself to learn how to cook, and buying ingredients and produce from the local stores was super inexpensive so I was able to save a lot of money with that. On the days where I didn't feel like cooking, I would go to nearby restaurants which were also fairly inexpensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take a class on the language! It will actually force you to learn the language and be more understanding of the culture. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I am going to become a much more open person that says yes to a lot of different experiences |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
