Grade A Experience: Would Recommend Past Review
By Alyssa Tayrien (Trinity University) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Apart from seeing much of Europe, I learned a lot about myself while abroad. Some moments were really challenging, but the entire experience was wonderful. I made great friends and would go back in a heartbeat.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The language classes definitely require some work, but it's really great to be able to speak Greek to people you meet! The morning classes are the best because those are the ones that take you off campus and allow more hands-on learning, like having class inside the Parthenon or at the Ancient Agora. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Lunch every day of classes was great and super helpful (as far as budgeting). Otherwise, local food places were extremely affordable. I love Greek food! |
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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? |
You're pretty much on your own if you're sick. |
| * Safety: |
Felt incredibly comfortable walking all over the city at almost any time of day/night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
While CYA isn't perfect and had a few miscommunications between administration and students, it's a great program that very nicely assimilated us into the Greek culture. The staff is kind, the classes are fun, and it's a great environment to explore the world! |
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) |
I spent an average (including paying for trips to other countries and budgeting while in Athens) of $150 per week during the semester. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set yourself a budget right away! Let yourself spend a little more during the first week (buying towels, sheets, etc.) but keep track of all your spending and save everywhere you can. Buying groceries at the Pangrati market is super cheap and cooking at home with your housemates is always a good way to save as well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | First semester of beginning modern Greek and beginning Ancient Greek |
| 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? | Use the language when you're out shopping and doing things in the city. It's a little weird at first but Greeks usually appreciate when we tried to speak to them in their language. It also incentivizes to memorize as much as possible. |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Not only do you have to adjust to a new city, but also new classmates from across the US. That was something I hadn't considered until I was there and knew only one other person. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
