I wish I could have stayed forever! Past Review
By A student (University of Colorado - Boulder) - abroad from 08/31/2013 to 05/15/2014 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
It taught me to think more critically about power and governement
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Honestly some of the most wonderful professors I have ever met. Even after all these year they continue to be resources, supports, and good friends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Like butter |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I still shed actual tears missing my neighborhood and apartment. |
| * Food: |
Seriously I put on about 30 lbs |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I return regularly to visit local friends and professors. I love it like it were my own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Honestly 10/10. Way better than America and they were mired in economic crisis at the time. I still received immediate and low cost care. Administration took incredible and swift care of me. |
| * Safety: |
I mean, it is a city. Be aware like you ought to be in any large city. Otherwise, I have almost never felt safer. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
A thousand times over |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It is the Euro and I'm sure it will continue to be stronger than the US dollar. I was able to support myself for a while. And the school has some resources to help you out. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 150$ per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be rich kids! Perhaps look into any scholarships that your home institution offers. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Two! |
| 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? | Don't try to translate, just try to use what you know and build off of this organically. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had managed to stay in Greece and never returned to the USA |
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.' |
