Learning a new and better way of life. Past Review

By (Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions., Worcester State University) - abroad from 02/02/2014 to 06/06/0014 with

American College of Thessaloniki (ACT): Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
That different parts of the world live differently than we do in America, and that sometimes what we know is not the only or the best way to go through life. Instead life is something to enjoy at all points and that stress and work is a good drive to have, but should not take over your life. Every place I traveled throughout Greece showed me that what is out in the world is different than any thing that I have ever seen or experienced and it is always worth breaking out of the routine "box" that one might be stuck in while in America.

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.

Teachers were fantastic they taught classes in an easy to follow manner while also helping to introduce their students into the country's customs and life styles.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful with all travel and any other issues that had arise during the course of the stay.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Rooms were a little small, but were within walking distance of multiple restaurants and the board walk.

* Food:

No meal plan given, but local farmers market made it quick, delicious, cheep, and easy to get any foods desired.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very easy to integrate with local customs and to meet people you just have to make an effort to socialize with non-Americans.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

NA

* Safety:

Occasional non -violent protests (mainly of people with signs walking down the street) but other than that nothing qualifies Thessaloniki as a dangerous city.

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)

Depended upon how much you want to travel on the weekends, but is manageable if desired.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the farmers markets and meet stores the food there is generally cheaper and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

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

Constant encouragment to speak in greek to locals which greatly helped strengthen language and social skills of the country.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? nothing
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? Talk to the locals and find a Greek friend and ask them to talk to you in Greek, you will pick up on a lot more words that way.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • people (no matter who you ran into everyone was nice all the time)
  • culture (often there were concerts and different events going on in the square that brought everyone together)
* What could be improved?
  • housing
  • transportation to/ from school
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To go out and talk to even more people instead of staying so much in the "american bubble" of people that traveled abroad with me.