My Life in Ruins Past Review
By Chelsea M (International Communications, Marist College) for
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
Absolutely!
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration and the program leaders were extremely accessible and had a great deal of knowledge about the inner workings of the city. They were helpful to those in the program that were home sick and to those that were frothing at the mouth to learn more about Greece. The program size for the first semester was perfect. The group became fast friends and did practically everything together. We loved each other like a family and still stay in touch two years later. The second semester had a group that was much bigger and harder for all of us to become super close. I was absolutely in love with my experience both semesters, but much preferred the smaller intimate group, the smaller classes and the adventures of the first semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | I don't remember how much I spent per week but by the end of each semester I had spent about $2,000 on food and personal expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Prior to going abroad, try to save as much money as you possibly can so that you don't have to turn down any opportunities due to finances. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
It was hard to use the language in the group of abroad students since we all spoke English. Once we would leave our apartments we had to use some Greek to communicate to buy groceries, order food, shop or to find our way around Athens. Most people would smile and appreciate our use of Greek, but would communicate with us in English. I had the chance to use Greek when speaking with my Grandmother in Greece, but I really did not take advantage of the opportunity while I was there. The school should have enforced more of a stricter policy to learn Greek. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The University of Indianapolis at Athens Odyssey abroad program was absolutely fantastic. Greece is a wonderful place to travel abroad. The people are warm, open and inviting. The food is incredible. The atmosphere makes you feel at home immediately. Make sure you bring enough money to feel comfortable to participate in many travel adventures in and around Greece. When studying abroad you will make some great friends and you'll want to travel around Europe together. Make sure you are able to with your finances. Traveling and exploring with some of your new friends will forever change your life. |
