Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fantastic Experience! September 05, 2022

By (Classical Civilization, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 06/20/2022 to 07/16/2022 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of all the things I learned during my time in Greece, I think the most important was how to look at my own life in the U.S. from an international perspective. Seeing the culture of another place made it a lot clearer what aspects of life in the U.S. were more culturally entrenched than I had previously thought, and it's motivated me to think more about the place we as a country have in the global perspective as well as how I personally operate within the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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

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)

Athens is a very cheap city, and CYA also provided some meals so it was pretty easy to keep costs down!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academics
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • More engagement with local Athenian communities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Learn a little Greek! It's not explicitly necessary, but it's certainly helpful to know pleasantries and how to read the alphabet, if nothing else.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!