An All-American Experience for Classics Majors Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/02/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned that playing it safe can decrease the rate of returns on investment of your time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 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? |
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| * 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? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt perfectly safe, I walked across the city alone in the middle of the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The program lacked the best parts of an american university experience (campus community, support systems, robust student life) while also lacking the best parts of a study abroad experience (cultural integration, intensive language learning, connection with community). If you want to live in Athens with other Americans and take a few courses while going to the islands on the weekends, perfect program for you. |
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 cook your own meals, 100 USD a week is enough to eat full meals, have snacks, and go to cafes a few times. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the farmer's market. Seriously. You will save so much money. They also sell clothes there if you're into thrift shopping! |
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? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You have to interact with locals to use the language. People are more than happy to talk to you everywhere you go. |
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? | 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? | CYA is specifically designed for Classics majors. |
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. |
