Cyprus is a safe place to study abroad Past Review
By Sonja R (Nursing., Bethel University & Seminary) for
University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Nicosia - Semester in Cyprus
I would tell everyone to do some sort of study abroad experience. I didn't think I'd survive. I got there and wanted to go back home right away because I was scared. It ended up being the biggest adventure I've been on. I lived in a terrible apartment and ate food that I had to cook. My roommates and I got so close as did we with others in our hostel we lived in. We had cookouts on the roof of our building. I'm more laid back in my life and I'm more courageous. I have a better understanding of who I am and Ihave a larger global view, a greater respect for diversity not only internationally, but also nationally with my country.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Nicosia |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes I took at U. of Nicosia required no homework and no attendence to do well. It was great for a study abroad experience though because instead of focusing on homework I was able to focus on my experiences. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The GLS staff is wonderful. Their cell phone numbers are available to everyone and their office is centrally located so they're easy to come by. I gave them a 4/5 because they are sometimes slow to answer questions, but that is the culture of Cyprus, so it's nothing out of the ordinary. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartment was terrible, small and cold. But we loved it. I lived in the international hostal and it was so much fun. There were 4 of us in a two person apartment, so there wasn't really room for all of us. The furniture is really cheap. It's a crappy apartment. They provided sheets. There were a few pots and pans, also utensils. A washer in the apartment but everything was air dried outside. |
| * Food: |
Love Greek Food. Shopped at local market and at supermarket- Carrefour. Cooked for ourselves and also went out. No food provided. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This was the best experience of my life. I learned so much about myself through my time in Cyprus, and I don't know that GLS is responsible for that, but because they set me up to live the way I did there, I was able to discover things about myself that I wouldn't have otherwise done. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Cyprus is safe. As a female, there were obviously issues with guys liking foreign women, but I never felt unsafe. I think this especially important to note in a divided country where some may say that it's a lot of trouble. There is not reason to be a afraid while in Cyprus. The issues are being resolved, slowly but surely, and the people are wonderful, no matter which side. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I didn't take any Greek lessons and only learned a little from my local friends. The people that did take lessons told me that the teacher told them it wasn't worth their time because they had terrible American accents. I was happy that I hadn't taken it. |
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? | This country is laid back with the mentality, "I couldn't be bothered." If you need a semester to destress, travel, and discover new things about yourself, this is definitely the place to go. I miss it, my friends miss it. We talk on a weekly basis, and we've been gone for 2 years now. You need to have an open mind in this program. It was the easiest academic semester of my life, but the most rewarding life experience. |
