The experience of a lifetime!!! Past Review
By Nancy S (Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)., University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 02/10/2013 to 05/25/2013 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
I gained a lot of things form this experience. I learned how to be independent and how to live in a big and sometimes overwhelming city
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses are very interesting, but the work isn't too challenging. The professors are very lenient and understanding; they know that the abroad experience is a lot more than just sitting in a classroom and are very supportive of your traveling. As long as you let them know in advance that you will miss a class due to traveling, they will gladly give you the notes to catch you back up. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I could not have asked for a better program director! Dina is AMAZING!!! She is so sweet and caring and treats you like one of her own. She will always go out of her way to help you out and make sure that you get the best experience possible in Athens. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location of the housing could not have been more perfect. We were close enough to the city center to be able to get anywhere we wanted and find anything we needed, but were hidden enough tot he point where we didn't feel like we were in the middle of all the craziness, and hustle and bustle of downtown Athens. |
| * Food: |
Try everything you possibly can! Greek food is absolutely delicious, and in the Plaka and Monastiraki areas there are so many different restaurants and tavernas to choose from. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although you can get by in Athens with only English, Dina was nice enough to show us some local fruit markets, meat markets, and bakeries that really made you feel like you were a local. Another way we integrated into culture was through our community service learning class, something which I 110% recommend. It gives you the opportunity to volunteer a few times a week and really immerse yourself in a different part of Greek culture that normally you would not be able to experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Although I did not specifically need to go to a doctor for anything, one of my roommates was sick and Dina was able to call a doctor who came right to our apartment within a hour. Also the pharmacies here are very different from America you just walk in and tell them your symptoms and they give you what you need right then and there. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a time where I felt unsafe in Athens, as long as you are aware and use your common sense you will be just fine |
| 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? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Write down what you spend, it's a good way to keep track of your spending |
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? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I was fluent in Greek prior to my trip, and was hoping to improve my language skills by being here |
| 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? | Always try and speak Greek even if you feel embarrassed, every country I have traveled to I have noticed that people are more likely to help you if you just try and make an effort. |
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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| 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 the names of the people who would be on my program sooner and I wish that I knew what the housing would be like. |
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. |
