An extremely important learning and maturing experience Past Review
By Juan J (Physics, Music, Goucher College) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/10/2016 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
I gained international experience and a better understanding of outside cultures
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. |
The facility is good. The classes are not very strenuous. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are caring and very high quality people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location and the housing itself is quite nice |
| * Food: |
There is no meal plan, I buy and make my own food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were opportunities to meet other Greek students and the Community Service class also helps to integrate |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The administration here personally oversees health concerns |
| * Safety: |
I never felt in danger, the city is safe and the administration is available to help. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Not everyday in Greece is a vacation but especially during the financial and refugee crisis, it is an experience that will be invaluable to the rest of my life |
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) |
If traveling to other countries is important, it is important to budget well, but Greece is very cheap and it is easy to access the rest of Europe. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $125 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Travel early, bring as many things from home as you can because buying things here adds up |
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? | none |
| 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? | Meet locals, two days a week in class will not be useful for conversational language, one must practice in a real world setting. |
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 had budgeted more strictly |
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. |
