I fell in love with Greece and would do this again in a heartbeat! Past Review
By A student (Sociology., SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 09/20/2013 to 12/21/2012 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
I learned to immerse myself in new culture. Despite the negative views of Greece I never felt like I was not safe. I made new life long friends both local and Americans. And my greatest memories are with them. I needed something my home campus could not offer and my abroad experience is the high light of my college experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dina and Tom are the greatest! They are advisors that are rare to have and guide you through the transition from the states to greece academically and personally. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apt was right next door to school. When there was demonstrations it would not affect my commute to school at all. Tom, the directors of housing operations was so helpful. If there was an issue he would be there the same day to fix it! |
| * Food: |
Try all the food Greece has to offer! You went abroad to experience new culture and food is one of them. There is grocery stores that Dina will tell you about so cooking for yourself is easy as well as eating out. |
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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? |
I had gotten stitches on my trip here. The health care system here is free therefore there was a line at the hospital to get my stitches taken out. The program advisor Dina went with me along with students at UNIDY who spoke the native tongue. |
| * Safety: |
Despite the media of Greece broadcasted all over the news in the states, my safety was never a concern for my time here. We get emails from Dina as well as the US Embassy about riots that will be taking place and we are told to stay away from the area. If I had the option to go abroad when demonstrations werent taking place I would not swap my fall'12 abroad experience for it. You are safe here! The media zooms in on one negative event and expands it in the states. UINDY is right in the same neighborhood as the riots and don't worry I never felt like I was not safe. Follow rules and the emails- if you know there is a riot in Sytagama and are told to stay away from there then listen. |
| 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? | 100-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you have a budget stick to it. Know how much you have and keep in mind of the rates. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
You use Greek for simple dialogue and/or greetings. It is useful and you pick it up. There is also Greek classes but make sure there are enough students in it so the class does not get canceled. |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | I wish I knew who my roommate would be. But there are perks to choosing it on the spot but I think there should be a email meet and greet so you get to know the other americans instead of choosing a roommate the day you land. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
