Four months in my new favorite city Past Review
By Alyssa (Columbia University) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/20/2017 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned a lot about what it means to be American, not only of how American culture is perceived by people in other places, but also how it affects them regardless. I learned to recognize how my understanding of many things is shaped by being an American and to recognize the influence the United States have on the world. I also learned a lot about the beauty of life in Greece, away from the sphere of international economic and military power, and I recognized a level of actual, lived freedom that I think is lacking in the United States where freedom is often thought of in financial terms. The experience was certainly worthwhile.
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. |
Several of my courses did not meet my expectations for academic rigor. In one, student apathy led to slow progress through the material and a low level of discussion. Grading was also made so easy to placate these students that it was against anyone's interest to engage the material at all. In other courses this apathy and disinterest also greatly affected the courses, and the professors were unable to stimulate interest. That being said, for those who are interested, CYA provides access to many valuable resources for doing research in Greece, not the least of which is an excellent team of professors who, in my experience, have been willing to really go out of their way to help students pursue interests related to course material. |
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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: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is really a matter of how much effort you will put into going out into the city, getting involved, and meeting people. CYA does send out information about upcoming events and things to get involved with, and these are great ways of meeting people and feeling integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Athens feels much safer than any American city I have visited. That being said, while you need to be careful in American cities, you also need to be careful here. Several CYA students were pick-pocketed while in Athens, but again, carefully watching your belongings is important anywhere. Further, like all cities, Athens has not only tourist sites and shopping centers, but also things you might not be comfortable being around like public drug usage, street fights, and prostitution - mostly in neighborhoods not directly in the center that you might not visit. If you keep your eyes open, you will know how to get around the city safely, and really, you don't have to worry about any of these things more than you would elsewhere. |
| 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? | around 120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget ahead and save shopping to the end of your stay. I liked to go to many shows and events, many are free, but some you do have to pay for. |
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 |
The program itself didn't really encourage the use of the language, though many of us did take language courses. I think being in Athens was encouragement enough, though. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Second semester |
| 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? | Take at least one semester of Modern Greek before arriving. It isn't required by the program, but it is a very useful foundation for forming friendships, engaging with Greek culture, and making ties with the community you will be living in. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | How to cook. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
