Seriously the Best Time of My Life June 08, 2022
By A student (Architecture and History, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 01/17/2022 to 05/13/2022 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
1000% worthwhile. Learned so much about myself and grew so much by experiencing new cultures, languages, people, etc. Traveled every weekend of my four months abroad except for 3. SO fun, met people who I consider some of my closest friends. Incredible incredible time abroad and I only wish that every single person on this planet could experience the joy and adventure we did.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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
- Loved the size of our program (120 students) - School and apartments located in amazing neighborhood of Athens - Lunch provided 5 days per week - Class sizes were small (max 20-25 kids) |
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) |
Athens in general was a very inexpensive place to live, especially in comparison to other European countries! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop for groceries at the farmer's market! |
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 |
|
| 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? | 0 |
| 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? | If you want to learn Greek, Duo Lingo provides a great introduction to the Greek alphabet. However, almost everyone speaks English in Greece, so you do not need to know or learn Greek at all. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring warm clothes if you're in Greece January, February, and/or March! We experienced snow (specifically, the worst snow storm in the last 25 years), and most people had to buy warmer clothes! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Featured Program Providers
