Greece was the best damn experience of my life Past Review
By Emily B (Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Trinity University) for
Arcadia: Athens - Arcadia in Greece
Most definitely. I traveled, went to tons of museums, met Greeks, ate a lot of great food, cooked a lot of great food. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could. I learned that I am capable of just about anything and adjusting to anything, as well.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload, minimal. Grading system, generally lax if you did the work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Some professors were boring a little lax, but others were really great. Try to talk to former students for recommendations from the particular program. It's hit or miss with profs. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Neighborhood was very safe, aesthetics were fine. A short walk to school and close to the city-center as well. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing. I cook it back home all the time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food I kept very cheap, around 60 euros/week when my four roommates and I split groceries. Other expenses tended to add up, such as travel and other things. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Arcadia made it seem as if I could bring VERY little luggage/clothing/etc., so I was one of the few people who heeded their advice, much to my dismay. I had my own room, bigger than my own room in America and TONS of closet space for my five shirts, etc. I ended up having to spend a lot of money on expensive weird European clothes because I ended up not bringing enough from America. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My Greek friends. Most Greeks knew some English, but they always spoke in 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You need to be flexible (different showering/living accomodations/architecture than you're used to) and open to anything. Don't come to Greece expecting the white-washed houses on the islands. This is not realistic. I took vacations there, but that's what they were, vacations. Athens is like many other big cities, and you have to come not expecting some picturesque island vacation. Come open-minded and you'll be surprised how much you gain from the trip. |
