The best three months of my life. Past Review
By Maci H (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies., Iowa State University) - abroad from 09/22/2014 to 12/13/2013 with
American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Like I said previously, I learned more in these three months than at any other time in my life. I met some of my best friends, that I know I will stay in touch with forever. We traveled to places I always dreamed of seeing, and experienced things that cannot be put to words.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professor's at ACT were very easy going. They understand that we are there to learn about Greece and to experience new things, and sometimes our education would come second to that. Regardless of how strict the grading was, I learned more about history, culture, and myself in my three months there than I have at any other time in my life. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The true Greek experience! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were living next to them. Going to school with them. Pretty integrated! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
This was my own doing. I traveled every weekend and went out to dinner very often. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200+ Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the open air market, fly RyanAir, and don't spend all your money on booze. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Nothing. |
| 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? | Learn the alphabet before you go, and study once you're here. Try and order food in Greek! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I was so terrified before leaving. I wish I would have had someone there to tell me to χαλαρά. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
