Best Experience of My Life! Past Review

By (American College of Thessaloniki (ACT)) - abroad from 09/17/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Thessaloniki - American College of Thessaloniki

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about my culture and my country's history. It is something that I would not have been able to do if I just came for a few weeks in the summer. It was very worthwhile. Like I said, I've had the time of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The International Programs Office staff are the best! They are very helpful and do everything they possibly can to help us out.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Better than many dorms back in the US that I have been too.

* Food:

Food and the staff at the cafeteria of ACT was great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

ACT does a great job of helping the students integrate with the local community and culture. The ACT students create a welcoming environment and it made it easier for me to be immersed in the Greek culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

On call doctor was always available when I felt ill.

* Safety:

Not once did I feel unsafe during my stay at ACT!

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 is a very expensive country with the increase in taxes during this economic crisis.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 170-180 Euro per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Visit the local open air market to pick up most of your produce. They food is fresh, taste great and cheaper than buying at a supermarket.

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? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 7th Grade Greek
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 with the ACT students as much as possible, it is by far the best way to learn and practice Greek.

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
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting new people and living in this amazing city. I had a great time and would do it over again in a heartbeat!
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing really. Everything was great!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nope, CCIS and ACT do a great job preparing us for Greece.