Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Experience! Past Review

By (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) - abroad from 06/24/2019 to 07/26/2019 with

CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the cultural differences between America and other countries. It was definitely worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class I took was so interesting and I learned so much. Our professor was great and every assignment we had challenged us to be creative. Our classes were held in museums, at archaeological sites, and even on volcanoes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful staff. I did wish they provided more specifics on which bus to take to get to the beach near Athens, however.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We had nice apartments, super close to the academic center, a grocery store, and lots of restaurants and coffee shops (one is even open 24 hours and is right around the corner). Athens started to feel so much like home that I could see myself living there long term!

* Food:

Could get pretty amazing food for cheap!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never felt unsafe throughout my whole stay.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Great program, classes, staff, apartments; opportunity to travel

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? Probably around $100 per week. Plus ATM fees
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home! Use a card that doesn't charge international fees and try not to use the ATM since there are fees.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Traveling
  • Going to the beach
  • Making friends
* What could be improved?
  • More opportunity to meet locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to bring more hiking clothes for my specific archaeology class. I also wish I knew to use my card at restaurants more, instead of paying for cash, because I would have saved on ATM fees.

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 Adventurer
The 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.