Beautiful Life Changing Experience Past Review

By (Anthropology, Portland State University) for

GEO: Athens - Study Abroad Programs Athens

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Patience, cultural understanding, empathy, self confidence, personal growth, language skills, problem solving.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Athens Centre
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The professors and staff at the Athens Centre were wonderful. Everyone was so nice and lovely and genuinely cared about the students. They were always available to help and maintained a beautiful setting for learning and living.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Field trips and excursion were excellent and well planned. the professors were prepared and enthusiatic. office staff and property managers were wonderful. I had no troubles with the Athens Centre staff but I did have some difficulties with the AHA International staff prior to depature. The dates were listed wrong on several places on the website and response to email inquiries was a little slow.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a nice neighborhood-Pangrati. The other apartments had washing machines while our apartment did not. It would have been nice to have a washing machine for clothing.

* Food:

We provided our own food!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trip to Crete was my favorite but every trip was well planned and executed.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Although an economic crisis and riot were occuring in our backyard I felt relatively safe. Everyone-professors and office staff- gave us common sense warnings and made sure we were well informed on current events.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be flexible and open. Wonderful experiences and beautiful people will walk into your life without you planning for it!