Amazing immersion experience in Athens January 10, 2024
By A student (Classics, Reed College) - abroad from 08/21/2023 to 12/16/2023 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned a lot about both ancient and contemporary Greek, and Europe in general, history. I learned how to integrate into a different culture and to appreciate the differences in life style. I also made some life long friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were very interesting, but not difficult. |
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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: |
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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? |
Health care was pretty accessible. Once you reached out to program staff it was easy to see a doctor, but note any extra cost that might occur with medication etc. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
CYA staff and professors were very attentive to student needs. Overall I felt very supported, but also appreciated the independent that comes with living in an apartment of campus. |
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 a very livable city with inexpensive food and personal items. Traveling will most likely be the most expensive thing. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Food is not too expensive in Greece but plan for eating out with friends and getting drinks from time to time if you enjoy things like that. Going out can still add up, but you can balance out those costs by cooking for yourself a few nights a week. |
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 |
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| 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? | I had not taken greek |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I did not take a language class other than the initial survival Greek during orientation and I was completely fine. |
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? |
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 awesome the whole experience would be, and how much I would end up wanting to travel both in and around Greece. |
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. |
