Growing Experience December 25, 2023
By A student (Accounting, University of Southern California) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/15/2023 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned a lot about myself as a traveller, partner, and person. I think it was worthwhile because I was able to do so much things I never would have done without the program.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was academic rigor, but classes weren't too stressful as long as you don't procrastinate too much. Midterms and finals would get a bit intense like normal college, but it wasn't too bad. Classes were interesting and the teachers were always accommodating and understanding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program administration was kind and helpful when I needed assistance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I'd recommend trying to get a single room if possible. My living arrangement was decent and I got along with my roommates, but if I could do the program over, I would have tried harder to get a single room. |
| * Food: |
Food was good, there was always enough to eat. I am lactose-intolerant and they were accommodating with my food options. However, for vegans or vegetarians, the cafeteria food may not meet all your needs (protein-wise), but food in Greece is quite affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think I was integrated well into the culture through classes and field studies. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick a few times, but it wasn't enough to require assistance from the program. I know some people did require help and it seemed like the program tried to help them get what they needed. There are also pharmacies everywhere so getting help was usually easy. |
| * Safety: |
I felt quite safe in Greece, even walking at night alone as a woman. That's something you probably shouldn't do in America nor try to avoid while abroad, but I had times where I was alone and it didn't feel as scary. I will say though that Greece driving is quite scary so be careful crossing streets. |
| 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) |
I think it was relatively easy to stay within budget, but I personally saved up so I spent a lot on traveling around Europe. Traveling around Europe wasn't too pricey as I was traveling with a group and we would try to find cheap flights. But I had some friends who didn't travel as much as me and I think they managed with their budgets and had fun exploring Greece. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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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? | I wish I knew how much staring culture was a thing in Greece. I knew it going in, but I didn't realize how much I would get stared at as a person of color. I wish I knew to bring more sunscreen and bug spray and my skincare before going abroad. |
