Unforgettable and Hungry for More August 27, 2021
By Smarika (College of the Holy Cross) - abroad from 02/07/2021 to 05/29/2021 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Traveling to Greece has been a lifelong dream of mine. CYA made sure that my semester abroad fulfilled all of those expectations and more. While I was expecting and excited to see the ancient places I have long studied, I am shocked by how connected I now feel to the present, globalized world. Because of Greece's unique position geographically and historically, it has become a melting pot of traditions and cultures that I was able to witness firsthand. I learned an entirely new way of thinking about once firmly-held convictions and my own place in the world as a global citizen. On a smaller (but still incredibly important) scale, I found dozens of close friends in the program from all over the U.S., and felt embraced almost as a family member by locals and staff. My deepest regret is that I did not have more time in Greece, but as everyone kept telling me, I now know that I must return!
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. |
All of the instructors at CYA saw us as individuals rather than just students and encouraged us to pursue our individual interests within each class. Additionally, they understood the challenges of acclimating to a new culture and environment and tailored our assignments and courses to ensure we gained the fullest experience possible during our time in Greece. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the staff were kind beyond measure and always willing to assist us with whatever we needed. The bittersweet goodbyes we shared at the end of the program were felt on both ends. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was set up in a lovely apartment with two other girls with whom I soon became close friends. Not only was our actual apartment pretty and functional (I still miss our balconies!), I was very impressed by CYA's roommate pairing system. Everyone I spoke to felt like they had been paired with the most compatible people for them, and each roommate group became fast and close friends. |
| * Food: |
The daily lunches CYA provided us were always a relief and were clearly made with much care and consideration, especially to dietary restrictions. While I didn't love all of the food offered, even as a picky eater, I enjoyed the vast majority of it, and it was always an opportunity to try something new and exciting. During the pandemic especially, I felt like it was one of the most accessible ways to experience Greek culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Obviously, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was much harder to go out and about and speak to locals (I especially wish I had had a chance to meet more Greek young people my age). However, everyone I did interact with was incredibly friendly and eager to support me in exploring both Greek physical locations and cultural practices, often giving me recommendations for places to visit or sharing their own personal stories. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were several protests during our time there, which the staff and professors instructed us to avoid for our own safety. |
| 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) |
Groceries were rather inexpensive and we were able to get into all the monuments and sites for free with the ICOMOS card that CYA signed us all up for. Even getting food delivered was inexpensive, though we tried to cook for ourselves most of the time. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take turns paying for communal items (like groceries, take out) with your roommates. Shop for produce, household items, and clothes at the laiki (farmer's market). When in doubt, souvlaki is always a delicious and inexpensive option! |
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 |
I enrolled in both Ancient and Modern Greek and everyone from the staff to the locals were always very encouraging and supportive when I attempted to speak in Modern Greek, whether it was simply ordering my food at Kekkos Bakery or saying hello to ladies in the cafeteria. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Get into the habit of greeting or thanking people in Modern Greek or ordering your daily coffee or pastries in it! Even if the locals speak English, they'll appreciate your efforts to learn Greek (they know how hard it is for foreigners!) and you will also gain lots of practice. |
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? | Get out of your comfort zone and don't be shy to talk to new people! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
