This was an amazing experience! July 14, 2021
By Alexandra Shaul (University of Virginia) - abroad from 06/02/2021 to 07/28/2021 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Summer Program
I learned to be more confident in myself and more independent. I loved my program and definitely thought it was worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I did the excavating in the Aegean field school with CYA and had an amazing time. I was really scared to do my field school because so many of my friends in my major told me how hard and miserable their experience was (with field schools in general). This program, however, was so much fun and not miserable at all. I met so many people from all around the world with the same interests as me that I know I can count on in the future. The work was very hard but I never hated it and we always made it fun. The good thing about this program is that you have so much free time to go explore and experience the culture of Greece. You get weekends off which is enough time to travel to different islands. I do wish they helped you with travel plans a little more (they don't meet up with you until you get to your destination which can be scary for a first-time traveler). I would definitely recommend this study abroad program because they want you to pay attention to your classes but also realize how important it is to go out and experience the culture yourself. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | AT least 200 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just remember to think about food, gift, transportation expenses, etc before traveling (put that in your budget). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | Make sure you think about the amount of money you want to spend while there. Talk to people on your program before coming on the trip (it helps with nerves). |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
