Five Fantastic Months August 27, 2021
By A student (Rice University) - abroad from 02/08/2021 to 08/05/2021 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I gained experience immersed in a completely new city with amazing people. Though limited by the pandemic, I was in the same boat as nearly every other true Athenian, so my experience felt incredibly authentic. I am so glad I took the leap and went to Greece.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed my classes and felt they were of high quality. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our administrators were extremely helpful and communicative throughout the semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our housing was convenient, and my apartment was pleasant. It would have felt small with four students, so I am glad I got to experience my place at only half capacity. |
| * Food: |
The food was authentic and delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated in the local community to the extent that I wanted to be. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sign up for the country's safety alerts and check your emails and the news! |
| 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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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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 known that it would be more difficult to meet locals my age during the pandemic. |
