Once in a lifetime experience February 02, 2023
By Michael N (Black Studies, Educational Studies, Mathematics, Swarthmore College) - abroad from 01/16/2022 to 05/14/2022 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I leanred alot. But mainly I learned to not be afraid and to go out and try new things. You can only learn and grow from yesterday. Yes, it was defintely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor kicked in around midterms and finals, but the classes I took were interesting and reasonable with workload. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program really holds the student and their experience first. Moreover, the culutral immersion via pre-planned trips in the semester really helped to break everyone in, and was honestl something I could not get if I traveled there alone. |
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) |
There was a farmer's market every Friday right next to the apartments selling fresh everything. This was the best resource for students to source out most of their groceries. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save, save, save. Greece and Europe was not the worst to travel around financially, but there are some hideen gems that do cost some money that you will want to do. Save your money wiselt. |
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? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| 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? |
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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 packed more long shirts and pants. I went during the spring and their winter was no joke. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
