Dazed & Confused. Past Review
By A student (Susquehanna University) - abroad from 01/30/2017 to 05/31/2017 with
University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Nicosia - Semester in Cyprus
I learned to be self-sufficient, independent, and that friends have a way of finding you wherever you go,
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. |
Good for international relations work, though for other programs I have heard the courses are slightly lacking. Though the program has seen a slight downturn in recent years, the IR staff remains amicable and the classes challenging and insightful. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very good staff, though they had a bizarre obsession with not letting legal adults drink during sponsored programs. It may be a case of some drunken idiots ruining certain trips, though complete abstinence is an odd policy for college students excited at the prospect of legal drinking. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our room had little in the way of artwork or furnishings, but worked for what it was. |
| * Food: |
Always been a fan of following my stomach wherever it takes me, and the meal planning let me do just that, aside from pointing out some must-try local delicacies. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Americans in the group for the most part kept to themselves. Though I made friends at the university and in Cyprus in general, actual integration was difficult and almost entirely our own realm. Not necessarily a bad thing if you're independent, though. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
As far as I know, there have been no issues. The one injury we had, a concussion from cliff-jumping, was resolved quickly and competently. |
| * Safety: |
Safest region in the region, considering how close Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey are. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
Had to cut a few trips and live on leftover chili, but that's about how student living works these days. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not a significant amount. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | CHILI IS YOUR FRIEND. Find a recipe that's cheap to cook and provides you with ample leftovers, and eat it with rice. I've stretched single batches of chili for weeks this way. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Greek 101 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Buy a book in English, buy a book in Greek. Learn the alphabet, get a dictionary, and get cracking. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Join a club or something. No Cypriot friend is just going to fall into your lap, you have to make it happen. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
