Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great program with super nice welcome February 01, 2024

By (Aerospace, Aeronautical Engineering, Rutgers University - New Brunswick) - abroad from 06/05/2022 to 07/02/2022 with

Cerca Abroad: Greece - Engineering

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So, this program to me has been really great all the advisors and directors are super nice and really welcoming.

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

Hi. My name is Erin, I am twenty two years old, I am from New Jersey, US, and I am currently working my master’s in mechanical airspace in Rutgers University and I am here for four weeks during my Cerca Abroad engineering program. I chose the Cerca Abroad program in Greece because when I was an undergraduate I have studied abroad in Rome and ever since I have wanted to study abroad back in Europe. I was looking for an engineering program abroad because it’s what I have always wanted to be doing for my degree in engineering. So I’ve been for two weeks here so far, and each day I’ve been working on a different project. First week I’ve been working with another intern on 3d mapping and building on campus with a drone, so basically we’ve drawn a bunch of pictures of the building with a drone so that we can use the software to create a 3d map of the building. We used that 3d map for an analysis of the roof of that building to look for different areas of water damage. The second project I’ve been working on has been building a drone. Again with other interns we’ve found the design of the drone and 3d printed the parts before making adjustments to the design and then we worked on wiring with the electronics. So we have basically been working on manufacturing this drone, It has not been completed yet but almost done. So I’ve lived close to the sea in Thessaloniki so I’ve been able to walk in different places, there’s so many things to do. I occasionally found myself going on walks by the water. There’s a pathways that I loved walking on. There’s also a port with a boat that can take you to beaches so I;ve been doing that. I;ve done that last weekend. Thesaloniki has actually many things to offer and I feel super safe and I’ve met some other interns who are students at the University I’ve been going and have fun and go sightseeing. The only thing that I would wish that more women would apply to programs like this. There not so many women, especially in engineering, so it’s been great to work alongside with other women.

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? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Drones design
  • 3D printing
  • Great nightlife
* What could be improved?
  • None
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There are so many places to visit, I wish I had stayed longer

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 Linguist
You 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!