Not Enough Time Spent There Past Review
By Stephanie Lane (Southern New Hampshire University) - abroad from 01/12/2020 to 03/13/2020 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
The Greeks are very lovely and nice people. They are the type of people who will help you out.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved how laidback the classes were. I didn't feel stressed out during my classes and I felt like I had an easier time doing classes there than back home. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dina was wonderful! She made it easier for all of us to get adjusted to the program very quickly and made the experience great! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed my first experience of living in an apartment with a bunch of girls my age. It was a new experience for me. |
| * Food: |
I love the food! I really miss the food there! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think if I had more time there I would have gotten to experience the culture a lot better than I was able to. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe there. You just have to have to same precautions as you do anywhere else in the world. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Dina helped make the transition into the program there so much easier. I loved experiencing the culture there and I wish I could've experienced more of the culture there. |
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) |
My budget was very good. I had a lot of money saved up so I was able to spend as much money as I want and still have a couple grand left in my savings account. |
| 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? | Save money before studying abroad. If you have only a small amount of money in your account, create a budget for you to stick to so you don't spend all your money while abroad. |
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 |
The people always encouraged us to speak Greek because it showed the citizens there that we were trying to learn their language. |
| 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? | High School Spanish class |
| 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? | Practice by yourself if you don't want anyone to hear you or practice with one other person so you can help each other 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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That I wouldn't be able to stay for the whole program and would have to leave in March cause of a deadly virus. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
