Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A life changing experience I’ll never forget January 15, 2025

By (International and Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/10/2024 to 12/14/2024 with

American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The two biggest things I learned were in regards to culture and politics. With culture, I gained great insight from people I spoke to around town, my professors and classmates. This included local phrases, different eating habits, and by the end I was laughing at jokes that only Greeks would understand. In terms of politics, my studies allowed me insight into Balkan and Greek politics and history that are often neglected in American studies.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

Studying at ACT was one of the best education experiences I’ve had. From my incredible professors, to interesting alternative perspectives from my classmates, to the Greek culture, I wish I spent more time studying in Thessaloniki.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100

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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The professors
  • The culture
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • No recommendations, I throughly enjoyed it.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I took a Greek class before I left. While English can be used almost everywhere, I felt a deeper connection and an appreciation from locals when I spoke in my limited Greek. I wish I learned more phrases before leaving so I could have had deeper conversations in their mother tongue.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.