Studying Abroad, but Home in Greece Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
It was such a worthwhile experience. I learned so much more about myself and what I value in life. I developed my political ideals being around so many different people from different backgrounds, I grew spiritually, and I learned how to embrace people who were different from me. Being in a place where I knew no one and had very little exposure to prior to studying there instilled a confidence in me that I didn't think I could gain. I was able to learn that life is full of adventures that you should always try to experience and that there's so much more to the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses at CYA are mainly geared towards classics majors and other humanities majors, but their liberal arts education isn't something to joke about. As someone who has spent half my time at Texas A&M fulfilling medical school pre-requisites and half my time pursuing a degree in classics, I can confidently say that the CYA academic program was challenging and was just as rigorous as an STEM coursework. A large portion of my time was spent writing papers while abroad on topics that I never would have imagined I would have to write about but truly broadened my knowledge. Professors are very helpful in walking students through their research and really were walking encyclopedias. |
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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: |
In Greek culture, you will never go hungry! CYA always provided us lunch while we had classes and the general population of locals was always willing to give out food (even if you didn't necessarily need it) and welcome you into their homes. |
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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? | Less than 30 euros a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go on shopping sprees and only get things that you really love. |
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? | 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? | Just go out and talk to the locals. Locals love when people make an attempt to speak their language and that effort does not go unnoticed, especially in Greece. Some local coffee shops would even give me a word a day when I went in for daily coffee. |
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? | 0 |
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? | To not be afraid to do what you want. For my abroad program, I didn't know anyone prior and I think it was a blessing because there were not preconceived ideas about who I was so I was truly able to meet people with a clean slate. The people I met while abroad have been so impactful even now that I am back at Texas A&M and the bond that you build with abroad friends is so special because you get to experience something so unique with them. If there is something that you haven't done before or were too afraid to do before, do it. It is a great environment to learn new skills and develop your thoughts. Also, be prepared to do work. You will be going abroad, but it is still STUDY abroad so work is still required. We had so many opportunities to see the country and embrace the culture as well, but that didn't mean that we didn't have to spend a great deal of time studying. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
