A Great Experience May 09, 2025
By A student (Computer Science, Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/07/2025 to 04/10/2025 with
American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was very worthwhile. I got to see very different ways of living and heard about different experiences. It was very fulfilling.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Less rigorous than at home, but the focus was much more practical than theoretical. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They did things a very "Greek" way. Everything was handled in cash, which was a little inconvenient. There weren't really systems for anything, but the people were all very helpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Studio apartment with either single or double occupancy, hotel room options were available as well. |
| * Food: |
There is a cafe on campus that has ~6 lunch options every day, such as a cheeseburger with fries. There is one vending machine in the library. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
People were very easy going and helpful. Most younger people spoke English as well. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My friend accidentally cut her thumb making dinner and was promptly taken to the ER by an RA to get stitches. |
| * Safety: |
Felt very safe. Protests happen sometimes but we avoid downtown then. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really enjoyed the Greek way of living. Things were less "system-y", but everyone seemed to just be enjoying their lives, which was very refreshing. |
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) |
Groceries are much cheaper than the US (and the other European countries that I've been to). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Lunch at school was ~7 euros, dinner groceries cost probably less than 5 euros per meal. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Travel was the most expensive part, know what a reasonable price is for flights. |
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 |
I enrolled in Greek class, which included assignments speaking with locals in Greek. |
| 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? | Practice with classmates and do the speaking assignments with locals together. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | That we would need a lot of cash since payment for field trips and clubs are in cash, so bring maybe 500 euros with you. I think nobody else I knew brought cash more than say 300 euros, and all had to pay fees to get cash out of an ATM. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
