It's probably the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Past Review
By A student (Drama, Theatre Arts, Berea College) - abroad from 05/20/2015 to 06/25/2015 with
KIIS: Greece - Experience Greece, Summer Program
Mostly I learned patience. There are a lot of frustrating things about being in a new country for the first time. But it was definitely worthwhile.
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: |
Lots and lots of pasta and seafood, especially while touring the islands. |
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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? |
A few girls were injured during the program, and our program director took them to a doctor in some kind of health center that wasn't a hospital. I heard one mention a language barrier, but they were better when they came back. Cold medicines and things like that are all available at pharmacies. You just have to describe your symptoms to the pharmacist - they typically know English fairly well. |
| * Safety: |
Athens is obviously the most dangerous city you go to during the program. There are a lot of street vendors that can be pretty aggressive when selling their products to you. The best thing to do is just say no and continue walking. While we were there, there were also protests and demonstrations leading up to the decisions being made about Greece's economic situation. During one demonstration, the protesters bombed an empty city bus not far from the museum we were at. The professors kept us in the museum until the police had taken care of the protest, and then sent us back to the hotel in Taxis. Our parents were alerted and everything was fine. We were assured that none of these protesters aim to hurt anybody, especially tourists. They're only making a statement. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Food is cheapest in Athens and most expensive in the islands. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $300/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Sometimes appetizers can make good meals, and they are cheaper most of the time! |
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? | There were several times when we wanted to try out the local bars and pubs (especially since some of us were not yet 21 and we could have alcohol there), and that wasn't something I had really accounted for in my budget. |
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. |
