My kind of Greek life! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor was very flexible, with the responsibility ultimately in the hands of each individual student. The staff was a great resource, friendly and knowledgeable about their trades and the local culture.

On-site administration of your program

The entire staff was fun loving and willing to answer academic questions just as easily as they could hold a conversation about life on the island and the fun surrounding it.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Jimmy's Apartments were clean, with daily maid service. The rooms included televisions, air conditioning, and personal balconies. They were what I wish the dorms in America could be like!

The food in Greece was great, though I did miss variety. We often dined on greek salads, grilled chicken, and oh the gyros! Lots of veggies and lots of fresh squeezed juice <3

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very accepted on the island as a student at HISA. Many of the local bars and restaurants knew us by name and offered us discounts. It was easy to make friends with locals at these venues, and we often did.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I didn't think much about health concerns in approaching this program, I was glad Athena made travel insurance and information available when I had an encounter with a sea urchin in the Aegean Sea! I was able to get transportation to and from a local, clean, private hospital without much fuss at all.

The safety on the island was pretty great! It's the capitol, Athens, where we stayed on either side of travelling that one has to be aware of. As long as your belongings are kept secure and close at all times, you should be fine. But stay on guard. No falling asleep on ferries with your backpack at your feet! And once you get to the island, be street smart to the extent you should be anywhere. Girls, use the buddy system. Stay alert and you'll be just fine.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Travel here can be as pricey or as expensive as you so desire. The Greek equivalent of fast food, gyros, are cheap and delicious. And the farmer's markets make buying your own ingredients extremely affordable if you're willing to cook. Beyond that, Athena covered all inter-island travel, making the field trip expenses up to personal discretion. Activities like donkey rides and renting a beach lounge are dirt cheap while the opportunity to splurge on things like massages (at the spas in Santorini!) or boat tours is always an option.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• swimming in the ocean
• going out with friends
• lots of laughs

• classroom air conditioning

The Avid Adventurer