Summer of a Lifetime! August 10, 2023
By Grace W (Global Studies, University of Virginia) - abroad from 06/20/2022 to 07/16/2022 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I gained skills in cross-cultural communication, knowledge about Greek history and culture, and most importantly, made lifelong friends.
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
I took the Greek Island Architecture, Culture and Identity course in Summer 2022. It was truly the experience of a lifetime and left me with a depth of knowledge of Greek culture, lifelong friends, and memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. Over the span of four weeks, we traveled to four islands in the Aegean Sea, all with unique landscapes, people, food, and architecture. We conducted design labs on each island to better understand specific qualities of the built and natural environments. Outside of class time, I made some of my best friends that I still keep in touch with to this day. My class had around 16 students and we all became a family by the end of the trip. I can't say enough good things about my time abroad in Greece and recommend CYA's programs to everyone I talk to! |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $100 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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? | Make a weekly budget for yourself that includes shopping/trinkets, not only food. It makes it easier to save and make decisions on what you actually need. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
