Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Tzatziki and beaches Past Review

By (University of New Mexico) - abroad from 06/08/2012 to 07/14/2012 with

University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Summer in the Mediterranean

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile! I recommend studying abroad wholeheartedly. I learned so much both experience wise and culturally.

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.

I really enjoyed taking the Greek 101 class. The teacher was phenomenal.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I loved eating Greek Cypriot food. I have grown up eating Greek food and I liked trying the Cypriot version of it. Also, the bakery called Zorpas was great and open 24/7.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I wish there had been more cultural integration. When I signed up for the class I did not realize I would be living and taking classes with only other students from the USA. I thought it was a world-wide program and I wish it had been. I would have liked to have been more immersed in the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Cyprus was a pretty safe; especially in the area we stayed in most, Nicosia. Traveling to other parts of Europe was a little less safe and less tourist friendly. Keep your purse close all the time though.

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your own food because it is cheaper than going out. If you are going to be in a place for over a month and are going to be using a lot of public transportation look into monthly passes, they are cheaper.

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
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?
  • The travel every weekend to different locations in Cyprus
  • The travel portion to Athens, the Greek Islands, and Rome.
  • Exploring and experiencing different cultures
* What could be improved?
  • The program should integrate students from all over the world, not just Americans
  • The hotels we stayed at on the weekends were not good. By American standards they were no more than 2 stars. I paid a lot of money to go on this program and should therefore not have to sleep on lumpy cots.
  • It would have been nice if lunch was covered on the weekend trips when we were all together.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had researched it better; travel in all forms (planes, trains, boats). I may have been able to find a better program for the price. However, I did truly enjoy myself and I think it was both a wonderful learning experience and a great time where I met some wonderful people.