Learn from the Greeks - Go Study Abroad with CYA! Past Review
By Leandra L (Classical Civilization and Political Science, Wellesley College) for
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Absolutely! My only regret is not staying longer. I am a better human and a better American for going abroad. I learned about family and hospitality from the Greeks. As bad as things are over there, the warmth they something they don't lack. I highly recommend this program. GO CYA!!
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. |
The teaching method wasn't different to that of Wellesley. It was a discussion-based. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program did a good job of making us be responsible for our experience by giving us a lot of freedom, but remaining there to offer assistance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Pangrati which was close to the school and the main square of the city. <br /><br /> I lived in a safe neighborhood. My apartment was well-furnished. |
| * Food: |
The meals were well-prepared and I felt comfortable because the families that owned the restaurants were eating the same foods that I was, so I knew that it was quality food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was there for the carnival which I participated in and also a Greek Orthodox Easter. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt really safe there, especially since I lived near the heavily patrolled Parliament and Presidential Housing. I was shocked to hear that people in my program were robbed. I was always careful, though. |
| 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? | Maybe 10-15 euros/week. Good food can be cheap especially if you sharing with people. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Know that you'll always have unforeseen expenses. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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? | An open-minded student. This is not America, so don't expect things to be as they are in American. Take it easy and ride the waves. Relax and make the best of it. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Greek |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Marinetta Papahimona |
| Instruction Language: | Greek |
| Comments: | It was challenging. I participated often. My teacher was knowledgeable and well-prepared. I liked that we learned with the expectation that the classroom instruction continued as we moved around Athens through conversing with people we encountered in just about every situation--directions, shopping the economic crisis, everything. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Citizen, State and Society: A Service Learning Approach |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Aimee Placas |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was a challenging course, but I liked that there was classroom instruction and an internship. I participate more here because I wanted to get the most of the learning about Greek society and culture |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary Greek Politics |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Romolo Gandolfo |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was an excellent course. It was part of the course to read the newspaper which kept us well-informed about everything that was going on with the economic crisis. I attended the political demonstrations and spoke to people--getting their impressions and opinions of the EU, IMF and the Greek government |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Athens: History and Culture of the Modern Capital |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Hypatia Vourloumis |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course helped me to engage with Greeks by learning about the way that history shapes their actions and opinion of themselves, the goverment and outsiders. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
