The Best Time of My Life - So Great, I Went Back A Second Time!!! Past Review
By A student (Management/Leadership, Boston College) - abroad from 09/22/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned how important and exciting it is to interact with people from all over the world with different backgrounds and experiences. I learned how exhilarating it is to explore a new culture. Every day is a new adventure, and I gained that attitude when I came back to the States.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
ACT is a fantastic collegiate environment and the professors are well qualified. It is slightly more laid back than what you might find in an American university but that only adds to the abroad experience and exploring a new culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone is fantastic and makes sure that you have everything you need, are comfortable and happy, and are getting by and adjusting as easily as possible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Thessaloniki is a very safe city. The apartments are in the middle of everything and right on a main street. Unless you go exploring down sketchy streets and alleyways, you feel pretty safe at all times. |
| * Food: |
Greek food... can't be beat. It's fantastic and cheap in Thessaloniki. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being able to speak Greek fluently would certainly help with being integrated into the culture, but otherwise, everyone is welcoming and friendly. It is easy to get by with English but you may have to get imaginative with hand signals when speaking with the older generations. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any healthcare issues while abroad, so I can't address this question very well. But I do know that ACT staff are always willing to help you find the help/medicine you may need. |
| * Safety: |
Thessaloniki is very safe. Stay on the main roads and stay in groups, don't ever go off alone late at night. If you stay smart and keep your wits about you, you'll be fine. |
| 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) |
Thessaloniki is a very cheap city overall, compared to the other European metropolises. It's necessary to save up some money beforehand but you'll be able to get by with as little as you could anywhere else - besides the $/Euro exchange rate, which kind of stinks. |
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 |
They encouraged us to use it in everyday life. The locals really appreciate your trying to communicate in the country's host 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? | None |
| 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? | Use it all the time, every day. Whenever you can. Practice in real-life situations is the key to mastering Greek. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Take time to stay in touch with friends in America, but make sure that you're not allowing your homesickness to take away from the present moment in this new country. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, you have to take advantage of every day. |
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. |
