Athens, Greece Past Review
By Carolyn G (PSYCHOLOGY., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
Absolutely worthwhile and sometimes found myself sad thinking that my older sibling out of college never got to experience all the amazing things I have by going abroad to Greece. The ancient ruins are so amazing.
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. |
Schoolwork was not what I wanted to be doing while abroad and there is definitely not too much to be overburdened. Small classes which are extremely nice. Some American teachers, all English speaking and very nice. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Student affairs office (whom you will be in contact with the most) is lead by a wonderful woman who answers every and all questions you may have as well as gives advice on travel, etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
PERFECT living arrangements - right in the city center and everything is only a block or two away. Shopping, school, nightlife, tourist shops, the Acropolis, etc. Sheets were brought from home but living with other Americans helps the adjustment so much because you are not on a cultural overload. |
| * Food: |
We dined out on occasions but mainly ate at our apartment to save money. There is a fresh market a couple blocks away where one can buy almost everything they made need to cook with. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Excursions are arranged and are so wonderful. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
One girl was sick in our group and the woman in charge of student accounts of whom you will be close with helped her out entirely by taking her to the doctor, etc. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-100 Euro; Some weeks more when travelling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating in will save you more money than you can imagine. Also, the fresh market is where you should buy all of your food because it is in most cases much less expensive than the grocery store. Also, just keep in mind that you are on a budget and some things that you think you may want to buy, you may not at the end. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Just do this program it's literally amazing and in the heart of the city; the people are wonderful. You will not be overwhelmed by a different culture but will still have an opportunity to talk to locals. Your apartment is located in the best area of the city and the schoolwork is easy so you can travel as often as you'd like. Greece is in the European Union and is so close to the Middle East so you can travel to almost anywhere in the world you may like from here. |
