Beyond Expectations Past Review
By Brian S (SUNY - Buffalo) - abroad from 02/05/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
It was absolutely worthwhile. I would highly suggest study abroad in general, and specifically Odyssey in Athens.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes and schoolwork will not keep you from making your study abroad experience what you want it to be. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dina is amazing, and will be a highlight of your trip. Everything is run very smoothly, and she is always there to answer your questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Mix of other Americans and International students. |
| * Food: |
Expensive to eat at restaurants, very cheap to cook yourself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Athens is safe, despite what the news may make it seem like. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself at least some of the time. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Had not taken any Greek at all. |
| 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? | Go to the same shop owners for what you need, and once they begin to recognize you they will help you out. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | If you want to do any traveling outside of Greece, plan to fly. |
