My Semester Abroad January 22, 2025
By A student (Furman University) - abroad from 09/02/2024 to 12/20/2024 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned a lot about what it is like to live almost completely without my usual support system. It was difficult at first, but the experience has given me new-found confidence in myself and my ability to adapt to new environments
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
As a Classics and History double-major, studying abroad with CYA was a bit like a dream come true. It was a way to both further pursue the fields I want to go into, getting first hand experiences of various sites, and also a way to gain culture awareness by living in another country for an extended period of time. I absolutely adored my time at CYA because I feel it has definitely grown my love for History of all kinds by granting me memories of actually standing in the sites I have thus far only seen in textbooks. My semester abroad also helped me gain new-found confidence in myself and my independence. I have always been an independent person, but moving to a new country without any friends or family nearby was still a bit of a leap—but one which has definitely benefited me in the long run. |
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 |
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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 |
| 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? | Start studying as soon as possible! The more you know going in, the easier it is to adapt and apply what you’ve learned |
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? | One thing I wish I knew before coming is that you should only buy a few things at a time from the grocery store. You never know if you will be getting dinner with friends or going on another trip and so food in the fridge can quickly be forgotten and go bad |
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! |
