Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Yassas Athens! Past Review

By (University of California - San Diego / UCSD) - abroad from 06/26/2016 to 07/31/2016 with

UC San Diego Global Seminars: Athens - Modern Greece: Making of the Modern World

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Greek culture and cuisine. Traveling on our excursions with our professor showed me that there is much more to Greece than the islands that people see in ads and on instagram. The mountains in Greece are gorgeous and completely under-rated. I gained such a great appreciation for this culture and learned so much about how it has been shaped by the people who have conquered it. The experience was more than worthwhile because it was one of the greatest highlights of my college career!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I made many amazing friends and amazing memories in Athens. I felt that the city was much different from what I had seen before in Europe. I learned a lot about myself there and about this other 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at local restaurants not places in touristy areas, grocery shop when you can rather than eating based on convenience, travel smartly, research prices ahead of time, walk/use the metro when you can instead of taking taxis because then you save money and understand the city you are living in much better

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?
  • The food
  • The Professor
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Explaining how to open apartment doors because keys were confusing on the first day
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To push past the jetlag and immediately start exploring the city

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 Urbanite
A 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.