Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Breaking out of my domestic shell January 07, 2022

By (Sociology and Anthropology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/27/2021 to 12/17/2021 with

CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be much more independent and also learned how much joy I get from immersing myself in different cultures.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had debate based classes that were really interesting and help keep me interested in the topics I was learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the location of the apartments.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the way the program is formatted

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 60 euros this increased when trips were involved
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be mindful with how much groceries you buy/ it’s better to buy smaller quantities.

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Having classes involving exploring the city
  • Trips being apart of the curriculum
  • Living in a city
* What could be improved?
  • More stricter ways to interact with people our age
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had to pay for food on trips.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.