Once in a Lifetime Experience Past Review
By Emma (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/20/2020 to 05/14/2020 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned to be more independent, flexible, and patient. It was 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were informative and hands on. Academics were enriching, but not exhausting. Workload is light until the end of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
FANTASTIC! They truly care. I had some people go out of their way to help, which was amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a spacious single in my apartment. The apartments are in an urban location and with that have the same issues as one would expect. |
| * Food: |
The meals were either very good or pretty average. We are provided with lunch Mon-Fri. The other meals we make ourselves. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Due to COVID-19 I left early. I believe if I had stayed longer I would have felt more integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Great response with COVID-19. They brought in a doctor to give a presentation and we got many emails. |
| * Safety: |
I never personally felt unsafe. I knew others who had been pickpocketed, but it is a city and one must always be aware of their surroundings. |
| 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) |
These were personal choices I made, but Athens is an affordable city. |
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 classes were taught in English. My home institution required me to take Greek so I was encouraged to speak Greek in that class and the mandatory classes in orientation. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Learn the alphabet beforehand. |
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? | I wish I had taken every advantage to do something new, especially since my program ended so abruptly. Also, Athens is very hilly and urban. |
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. |
