Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Opportunity to Grow July 19, 2023

By (Hotel Administration, Cornell University) - abroad from 01/23/2023 to 05/20/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more independence and learned how to adapt to a new location. It was worthwhile due to the friends that I made and fun travel experiences.

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.

There were limited classes related to my major (business rather than economics). Coursework was lighter than my home university but had a more intense midterm/finals period.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing varies greatly. I was in an apartment shared with 5 people total and 2 bathrooms, although with the heating system you could only take 1 hot shower every 30ish minutes. It's also the same price for a double as a single and the room sizes can vary a lot.

* Food:

While there are vegan options, they are almost never a protein source and generally are carb-heavy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were opportunities to engage with local culture, but it was not mandatory.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The staff were very helpful with connecting me to English-speaking doctors.

* Safety:

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

Being in Greece offers a more unique experience than many of my peers who studied abroad in Western European countries had. The travel on the weekend, while more expensive, is to more unique locations which I enjoyed.

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)

I spent $150-250 a week on expenses but you can get away with spending a lot less. Some reasons my costs are higher are due to following a vegan, gluten-free diet and taking taxis to off-campus classes. The cost of living overall is slightly lower than the United States

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

We were encouraged to learn the language but it's not necessary to get around Greece.

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

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
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?
  • Opportunity to make friends from across the United States
  • 3-day weekends were ideal for travel
  • Field study trips
* What could be improved?
  • More local integration
  • Shorter class periods
  • Vegan protein options for meals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Even though there are a lot of American students, there can still be culture shock as everyone adjusts to being in a new place. I found that there was less of a "CYA culture" than I experience at my home institutions, primarily because of how much people travel on weekends, so be prepared to be alone sometimes and be proactive about making friends.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.