Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable experience January 27, 2022

By (Archaeology, Tufts University) - abroad from 08/18/2021 to 12/15/2021 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am so, so glad that I chose to go abroad with CYA. I got the academics that I needed while still having the time and support to explore Greece both with the program and on my own time. The apartments are in a great location -- you can walk to the Parthenon! -- and you get opportunities to meet your Greek neighbors, too. The fact that the program is in Athens means that the city is incorporated into all of your classes, so even when you're not touring around, you still get the benefits of being in Athens and experience what it has to offer. I absolutely wouldn't trade my time there for the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

There were optional Greek classes (which I did not take), but there was a very useful survival Greek course during orientation which allowed us to carry out general interactions in Greek

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? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Amazing Professors!!!
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • More free time to explore on the field study trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how different the climate would be! As a northeasterner, I was shocked by how consistently hot the first two months were (though as the semester went on, the temperatures dropped to be very pleasant)

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 Linguist
You 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!