I should have started a GoFund Me Past Review
By Danielle Johnson (Goucher College) - abroad from 01/12/2019 to 05/11/2019 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
I gained/learned a lot of independence but also where I lack in being independent. Yes it was worthwhile.
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. |
Although the topics and material covered in my classes had potential to be really interesting I disliked that it was so much lecture and less discussion based. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was extremely small for 8 people & for such a long amount of time |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel like I didn't branch out as much when it came to meeting people from my host culture because I came with so many people/friends from Goucher. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I really love the health care system in Greece (based on my experiences). GeoBlue and Dina were very helpful if I needed anything. I also thought it was cool that pharmacies will assist you without a doctors note. for example, I had pink eye from allergies and instead of having to go to the doctors I was able to get eye drops from the pharmacy right down the street. |
| * Safety: |
There were certain times that I felt uncomfortable (on the metro or out late at night) but i never felt that my safety was threatened. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I think a semester abroad anywhere is a really long time. This doesn't reflect poorly on Webster but just my lack of research/understanding. |
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) |
Europe is so expensive. Without having a dining plan and having to buy groceries every week (without a job) a "student's budget" wasn't really adequate. |
| 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? | plan far in advance so you have time to save plenty of money |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 0 |
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? | The expenses and how much I was going to miss home |
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. |
