Discovering More About My Heritage and Myself Past Review
By Maria M (Nursing., American College Greece) - abroad from 06/13/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
American College of Greece: Heritage Greece Summer Program
From this experience I learned a lot about my ancestors, heritage, and the Greek culture. I learned about the language, food, dancing, and people. I met fellow Greek-Americans as well as Greek students for the first time and could culturally relate to them, which was really cool. We learned from each other, from Greek class, and from the excursions we went on daily. It was a very rich experience that was very worthwhile!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My Greek language professor was very knowledgeable. She wanted us to learn and taught with enthusiasm to make it fun. I learned a lot in a short period of time. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We integrated well with the Greek students that were part of the program, but did not seem to integrate well with the Greek people outside the college. Our group was too big to really blend. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have an experience with the healthcare in Greece. |
| * Safety: |
Athens seemed safe and there were not any safety issues that I know of. |
| 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) |
Housing, food, and transportation were all covered by the program, so my only expenses were souvenirs and snacks, which were easy to cover. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 25 euro |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
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? | Beginner |
| 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 II |
| 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? | Learn the pronunciation of the letters of the alphabet first so you can read. Then, just start by learning simple words. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * 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 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.' |
