A Mid-college life fulfilling experience. Past Review
By Renee P (Interior Design., Maryville University of Saint Louis) - abroad from 06/08/2011 to 06/24/2011 with
American College of Greece: Athens - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained international understanding and relationships. It was worth it and I would recommend it to everyone to at least do once.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I feel as if I learned more about my Greek heritage and the Greek culture in those two weeks at Deree than I had throughout my whole life. The student leaders as well as our teachers, were so passionate about what they had to teach us. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was welcoming and helpful. Heritage Greece was a very well organized program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments we stayed in were located close to school, had a common area lounge, had nice views of Athens from our balcony and had a fridge full of food! |
| * Food: |
The food was great everywhere we ate. During lunch, we would eat at Deree and at night and on weekends we would usually go to a restaurant. All of the meals had good variety and tasted great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was nice that there were a handful of Greek students who traveled with us on our excursions or came to hang out with us after class. If it weren't for them, I don't think we would have experienced the local culture as much. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally didn't have any health issues but I feel if I would have, there were plenty of people who would have been willing to help. |
| * Safety: |
As long as you use the same common sense you would use in your home city, safety is not an issue. There wasn't a single time when I felt in danger while in Athens. |
| 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
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 |
We had to speak it in class, and then if we would try our best to speak it to shop owners or practice with the other students. |
| 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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Buy a pocket language guide once you get to Greece and then take it with you, everywhere! Whip it out while talking to friends and reply in greek. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | Travel with less stuff. It's just easier in every way. |
