Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life Changing Opportunity Past Review

By (University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 07/08/2019 to 07/26/2019 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Athens - Summer in Greece

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This opportunity has given me a career path change. Given this opportunity has made me realize the difference that you find in other countries. I now want to find a job with travel where I can immerse myself in many different cultures around the world. It was the best opportunity I have received thus far in my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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

CIS gave many opportunities to get involved in the culture with group trips and dinners. They provide plenty of scholarship opportunities for students. The advisors available in the US were very assistive and will to help students during the transition of going to a new place alone for the first time.

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)

Because of the exchange rate at the time the euro costed more than a dollar but it was still easily affordable. CIS does a great job at giving a recommended expense price and it is spot on.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you have a international credit card but also a debit card. It is easier to use a credit card but some places do not accept card and you need to have cash on you.

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
* 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?
  • Food and housing
  • Having the opportunity to work with and get to know local students that gave us tours around the city and recommended places to visit.
* What could be improved?
  • A brief vocab/phrase lecture to have the opportunity to speak on a daily basis for essentials.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learn to speak some of the language and budget my money better. Going there having the chance to not worry about how much I was spending was a great feeling and I would not take back all I did or purchased. Although coming home it was a little eye opening to see the conversion and how much I really spent.

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 Urbanite
A 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.