Best Decision of My Life Past Review
By Ryan G (University of Iowa) - abroad from 09/18/2013 to 12/18/2013 with
American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a great group of friends from across the nation that I will stay in touch with likely for the rest of my life. This was by far my most fun and meaningful semester of college. It helped me learn how to live on my own, make new friends, and have a good time dealing with change. The program size was perfect: large enough to keep you entertained, but small enough to allow you to get to know everyone if you took the time. The program creates an atmosphere that breeds life long friends as we were all trying to gain the most out of our 3 months in Greece as possible.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were a perfect mix of difficulty and flexibility. If you wanted to go all out in some classes, the professors definitely had the subject matter knowledge and experience to challenge you. However, the classes were not overly rigorous to the point that you were missing out on traveling or social experiences due to homework. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All of the study abroad students share an apartment building in a traditional Greek style apartment. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Thessaloniki, Greece is not a touristy city, and other than our study abroad program there were few Americans. You were forced to interact with Greeks everyday whether it was at the coffee shop or open air food market in the morning or a restaurant at night. Most people knew some English though, so they could assist you through your broken Greek speech. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program has a doctor on campus, and she is even willing to make house calls if the situation is severe. Obtaining medicine is very easy in Greece as there are multiple pharmacies in close proximity to the apartment. |
| * Safety: |
Thessaloniki and our neighborhood is a very safe city at all hours. |
| 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) |
Europe in general is a lot more expensive than you would think. The exchange rate kills you everyday, but Greece was definitely one of the least expensive countries in Europe. Spending money was totally up to you though. If you don't fly often and try to cook yourself you can manage to be cheap. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250, but I traveled a lot |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Greece is one of the cheapest countries to be Monday - Thursday as food and drinks are cheaper here than in other countries. Best money saving tip: try to cook at home during the week or get a gyro which is extremely cheap (2 euro) and it fills you up. Don't let money hold you back from traveling when you could have easily saved 25 euros/week by just eating at the apartment. Buy wine from discount markt. |
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 |
Greek class was 4 times/week, and everyone you would encounter in everyday life spoke fluent Greek. You could practice as much or as little as you liked. |
| 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? | Try using the language at the store, restaurants, and bars (Greek girls enjoy helping you learn the language). |
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? | If you know anyone going ANYONE at all.. fly over a little earlier and travel around the Greek islands in the south. Once you get there in mid-September you will only have about a month of "beach weather". It doesn't get cold by any means, but it would be uncomfortable to be in a swimsuit on the beach. Also even if you're by yourself get travel arrangements to Oktoberfest before you leave. Chances are one or more of the other study abroad students will be going as well and you can always meet up with them in Munich. |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Greek 101 |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | Take Greek 101! It makes living in Greece so much more fun. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
