A Fresh Perspective Past Review
By dylan.a.blake (Western Washington University) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/01/2012 with
GEO: Athens - Study Abroad Programs Athens
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It is truly amazing how much you learn from living overseas. Greece feels as much like home as Washington to me now. Although I saw three different countries in my three months overseas, the experience showed me that people are people no matter how far from home you are. The journey gave me new vigor for life and I am a very different person than I was when I left. I can't recommend living and studying abroad highly enough. Do it.
Review Photos
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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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | About $200 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you can, cooking at home can save you money. Also, don't be too hasty to buy when you're souvenir-shopping; you can always come back later after you've looked around to find a decent price. |
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 |
Yanna Nella was extremely proud of Greece and did encourage us to use "good Greek." |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | (Ancient) Greek 350 |
| 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? | The program I was a part of allowed the students to live in an English-speaking bubble and you could have avoided speaking any Greek for the entire three months. I recommend you get out into your respective cities and make local friends so that you can improve your language skills and better appreciate the culture. |
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? | If I had realized I'd pretty much be in an English-speaking bubble (and I personally didn't jive with certain educators' teaching style) I would have picked a different program. But really, the experience is entirely what you make it. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
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