I want to see Athens again. July 19, 2024
By Jessica W (Classics, Mount Holyoke College) - abroad from 01/21/2024 to 05/18/2024 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned cooking. And I sort of learned to connect with people. I learned that I might really love Athens.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It's an educational experience but not very academically rigorous (which varied largely from course to course). We had a great librarian, Georgia, but the Library's resources were not sufficient. I was told to use the Internet Archive because we really didn't have one book about early Christianity. As for the courses, I had a course as intensive as to make me take medication; and I also had a course as chill as nothing being told on in the classroom couldn't be learned by a 5-second Googleing. Meanwhile, I had the best experience with an Archaeology course because it was always on-site. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
People from the student affairs department were very nice and helpful. Jeniffer and Rosa (then the Study advisor) literally saved my life. On the other hand, On the other hand, I don't know much about the accommodations for the religious minority groups. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was housed with other 4 roommates in an air-conditioned apartment. The kitchen had many glasses and bowls and plates and pots and all the basic cooking tools. I almost taught myself to cook in our kitchen. |
| * Food: |
Heard some difficulties from vegetarian classmates. Otherwise great for me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I participated in some most traditional Greek ceremonies such as flying a kite on Clean Monday. On the other hand, I don't think I deserve to "integrate" because I am a forgiener and I didn't even speak the host language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Cheaper than the US. Pharmacies are helpful and convenient. |
| * Safety: |
Nothing happened to me. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Now I want to go on with my major a little bit more. |
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) |
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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 |
Varied from person to person. My very good friend was learning Modern Greek and insisted on speaking in the language to people every time we went out. But it was not required by CYA. And people like me who didn't take the modern language also existed. |
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? | There are things worthwhile besides academic work. |
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! |
