INCREDIBLE! Past Review

By (Anthropology/Archaeology, SUNY - Buffalo) - abroad from 09/11/2011 to 12/17/2011 with

Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think I became a better person, learning to be more responsible and mature, and gaining a new found awareness of other cultures. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very very small university, some classes were a little unorganized but the teachers were great

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

AMAZING GREEK FOOD EVERYWHERE. grab a quick gyro anywhere for a mere 2 or 3 euros

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

culture was very easy to fit into and the people were extremely nice, hospitable, and welcoming

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

There was never a moment in which I did not feel safe, even during all of the rioting I witnessed. The rioting and strikes were merely slight inconveniences. Athens is safer than any American city I've ever been to.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Greece uses the euro, so that certainly helped deplete my money. But it was mostly my own fault that I blew a lot of money. I did not budget myself well haha.

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? Buy as much fresh food as you can from the markets that you can prepare at your apartments. Going out to eat every day is an easy way to blow money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the 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? French 201
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The people
  • The culture
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • classes
  • apartments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing comes to mind

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'