A Unique Way to May 20, 2024
By A student (Classical Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2024 to 05/17/2024 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned to be more independent and how to adjust to a new, international city while balancing my responsibilities. I learned how to optimize my schedule to explore new places and made the most of every day. It was very worthwhile to my development.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program felt more unorganized as the semester went on, but it was overall acceptable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The accomodations varied between people in the program, but they were sufficient. |
| * Food: |
The program provided lunch every class day. |
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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? |
I was able to see a doctor within a day of realizing I needed to have an injury looked at. The program assisted with scheduling the appointment, letting me know expectations, and they followed up afterward. I had no other issues. |
| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Even though the program wasn't perfect, I know from talking with friends that it was more rigorous and flexible than other programs. The program facilitated field studies, so we could explore very different parts of Greece. The on-site classes were so unique and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm glad I took advantage of them. |
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) |
It depended on what you did in your free time and how much you ate out, but it was manageable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your meals and shop for groceries strategically so nothing goes to waste. Also, factor eating out into your weekly food budget. Booking your travel ahead of time also helps to save money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 that other people were super homesick as well and that it would come in waves throughout the semester. It was hard adjusting knowing that it was a single experience and that you would not need these skills again. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
