Study abroad is the best decision I made! May 16, 2022
By Ruby V (Classics and English, Emory University) - abroad from 01/17/2022 to 05/14/2022 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I was able to become more independent and experience so many amazing things! I saw lots of amazing places and fell in love with living in Athens.
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. |
Generally, the courses were easier than a normal college semester for me, although the workload really picked up during midterms and finals. I really enjoyed the content of my classes and I learned a lot! |
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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: |
Greek food is amazing! |
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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: |
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| 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) |
Greece is generally very affordable! I ordered food a lot, which actually wasn't too expensive, but groceries are also very cheap. You can definitely live on a budget, although you will spend more if you eat out and travel frequently. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It varies, but ~$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries when you can and go to the farmer's market. If you travel, buy tickets ahead of time to get them cheaper. You can do so much for free, especially with student ID! |
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 |
My personal school required that I take a foreign language, but my program didn't require it. Everyone takes survival Greek, but I also enrolled in Beginner's Modern Greek for the semester. |
| 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? | Advanced Ancient Greek |
| 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? | Try speaking in easier situations like coffee shops |
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? | See as many places in Greece as possible, it is so great being located in Athens! |
