Best expereince of my life Past Review

By (University of Utah) - abroad from 06/06/2016 to 07/06/2016 with

University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Summer in the Mediterranean

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about my culture and even more about myself. It was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were not as intensive that I am used to at my home university. I usually have to study for hours at home but I only did a couple hours of studying before each test. However, for as short as the courses were I learned a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very good about helping with anything that came up or when I had a question.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really was more frustrated with the laundry situation. The apartments I stayed in had a laundry room where we had to pay 3 euros a load. The other apartments people were in did not have to pay for laundry. I feel as though students should be compensated the money if some students don't have to pay for laundry.

* Food:

All the food that I ate on the trip I had to pay for because the program did not cover the food expenses of our trip.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved it. It was fun and absolutely amazing

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I contracted a UTI while I was there. I had trouble getting to the hospital because the cap driver did not understand the map provided in our welcome packets. My program coordinator did not assist me. The healthcare system was very different than what I am used to at home. No needed specific vaccines needed.

* Safety:

I really feel like safety needs to be covered more during orientation. Providing a map with a few important spots is not enough. I was not even sure where the US embassy was at.

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

Because it was the perfect amount of school but enough experience with the culture from art and history to experiencing the culture.

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)

I saved up a lot of money to go on this trip. I spent less than $900 on this trip total.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $225

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I was encouraged to go out by my Greek professor and use what I learned as much as I possibly could!

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Learning Greek
  • Expereincing the culture
  • making new friends
* What could be improved?
  • laundry situation
  • more involvment from coordinators
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How hard it was going to be to be away from my family

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'