Greek Cultural Experience Past Review
By Danica Luc (College of Mount Saint Vincent) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/21/2015 with
IPSL: Greece - Refugees, Migration and Resilience & Micro-Entrepreneurship
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a better understanding on another part of the world. I honestly felt like a native after just a month there. The Greek culture is so welcoming and inviting. I made so many friends who I still keep in contact with it. At first I was apprehensive about going away for school, as I was the only person in my program, but I am glad I went through with it. Gave me the courage and confidence to face my fears of being in a new place and seeing new faces.
Review Photos
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
I loved how ISPL not only had the academic aspect of any study abroad program, but also included opportunities to volunteer and further immerse oneself in the culture, heritage, and customs of that country |
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? | 350 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | To help save money apply to scholarship programs. I was able to fund my study abroad semester with a scholarship from Gilman. Talk to your school's study abroad advisor as they will have lots of resources available to you in terms of finances |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French |
| 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? | Try apps like Duo-lingo to help build a routine. Watch movies in the language you plan on immersing yourself into during your time study abroad. Also invest in dictionary to enhance the language learning experience |
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? | I wish I knew how inexpensive traveling was because I would have took the opportunity to visit more countries while abroad. I also wish I knew how amazing an experience and time I was going to have then I would have went study abroad earlier during my undergraduate years |
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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