Heritage Greece Past Review
By Christina B (Human Resources Management and Services., Indiana University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 06/08/2011 to 06/24/2011 with
American College of Greece: Heritage Greece Summer Program
Being a part of the Heritage Greece program was undoubtedly an experience I'll tell my kids about. I deeply appreciate, to this day, the opportunity to have traveled and explore the culture I hold so dear, with other Greek-American students.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Language and Cultural Greek Class |
| 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. |
Learned a wealth of knowledge, grasping the fundamentals of the Greek language. The professors were extremely effecting and patient in regards to teaching a new language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was beyond professional and personal. Catering to our every need was their mission for the 2 and a half weeks. Any concern was addressed in a timely fashion and taken care of with sincerity. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being housed in the student lodge was more than accomidating as a foreign student. Towels and linens were also provided and washed, along with a fully stocked fridge. |
| * Food: |
I could personally tell that meals were thought of ahead of time. The staff tried to incorporate customary meals to the students, exemplifying customs and tastes many were unfamiliar too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The local Athenians were welcoming and inviting to Greek-American tourists. I learned first hand about the rich culture being immersed for the two week program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had left a prescription at a hotel on an excursion off campus. The pharmacists along with staff were certainly accommodating in assisting and prescribing me with the Greek equivalent of my medication. |
| * Safety: |
Despite the current economic hardships Greece is facing, I truly felt protected during my stay. The protests were nonviolent and the staff did an excellent job of keeping us informed of outside afflictions. |
| 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 |
The professors worked with the coordinators and would teach us relevant topics for the day... for example when we went to Plaka, a well known tourist shopping area, the professors taught us how to bargin in the native Greek language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | At the time, I wish I knew what to pack more of. |
