Will Be Back Soon Past Review
By A student (Cornell University) - abroad from 01/21/2019 to 05/17/2019 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Learned to live more independently, had a more holistic learning experience
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. |
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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? |
Housing situation varied based on apartment. Was nice to live alongside Greek families. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program itself is for American students, so you have to go out of your way to engage with Greek students your age. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program staff were very helpful and accompanied me to the necessary hospitals/health centers, helping with translation/logistics and also familial comfort. I was surprised that getting treated in public hospitals there was entirely free. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Well-organized program with many on-site learning opportunities, nice building, central location of program building and apartments, friendly staff |
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) |
If you plan on traveling outside the country a few times, then this will likely make budgeting for food and other living expenses difficult, as it did for me. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Go out of your way to explore the city and talk to local Greeks in Greek (even with your limited vocabulary -- attempt to piece together sentences) |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | To better manage my time and explore more of the city; also to pack warmer clothes for the spring semester |
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.' |
