Greece: A Life Changing Experience! Past Review
By Emily F (Elementary Education, Eastern Illinois University) for
Study Abroad Programs in Greece
I grew so much as both a teacher and a person. I learned so much about other cultures in and outside the classroom. I feel that my educational experience could not be duplicated.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was able to start student teaching at the beginning of the school year which helped develop a positive relationship with students. I was also able to begin teaching the first day of school and had full control of the classroom early on in my experience. This gave me a lot of experience teaching and I had control of the classroom for almost the entire program. This helped me to feel much more prepared for my own classroom than I expected. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was a wonderful experience but was somewhat disorganized. My on-site coordinator was out of the country for my first two weeks in country, however she did give me contact information for other people I could get in touch with if necessary. There was also difficulty establishing a Visa before entering the country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was quite old and not in the best condition. However, it was in a great location with a spectacular view. I was also fortunate to have great roommates. |
| * Food: |
Being in the middle of a large city, there are many food options. There is a variety of different foods for almost any diet. In addition, there are restaurants and grocery stores to match any budget. As far as cost and convenience, it is not much different from an American city. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a variety of field trip opportunities with students that were quite interesting such as a trip to Vergina and a museum. Thessaloniki is filled with museums which I took advantage of in my free time. There is quite a lot to do in the city and it is very exciting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Since I was registered through the American Consulate I received email alerts for any possible dangerous situations or riots. I felt safe knowing ahead of time what was going on around the country and when and where to travel. While I had adequate health insurance, I had a difficult time finding a clinic or doctor's office. I injured my foot and ended up just letting it heal on its own because I did not know where to go. |
| 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Greece is an amazing country full of rich culture and history. As a whole, things there are very slow paced and unorganized. Go with the flow, things will work out. It is really a once in a lifetime experience. Take advantage if you can! |
