If you don't expect anything, you gain everything. Past Review
By A student (Point Loma Nazarene University) - abroad from 03/01/2012 to 06/01/2012 with
Hellenic International Studies in the Arts - HISA: Paros
Hard question, but yes of course it was worth while. Learned more about another culture, met some lifelong friends, and had a growing experience I won't forget.
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. |
Different kind of intensity (depends on classes). Mostly preparing for end of the year show |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was very friendly and willing to help! Also had alot of experience, although at times they appeared slightly disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Jimmy's apartments where we stayed, each had their own bedroom, bath, and porch. Nice accommodations with everyone! Internet kinda spotty |
| * Food: |
Food on Paros was good! By the end we had found all the great local spots. And we knew the grocery store like the back of our hand! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Minus not being able to understand EVERYTHING. We were pretty much in the midst of the culture, especially before tourist season. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health issues weren't necessarily addressed, it would probably be a bridge we would have crossed if we came to it. |
| * Safety: |
Paros is a very safe island, only one burglery for someone in the apartments who left their porch door open on the bottom level. |
| 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) |
2.5 . Could probably live on 80 euros a week if needed be. |
| * 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 80 euro on a normal week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery store!! Community meals with friends. Only splurge when you need to. |
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 |
Optional Friday afternoon Greek class, a few students went to. Mostly just encouraged interaction with the locals. |
| 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listen to those around you and try to pick up those basic phrases. Also, I wish I had learned the alphabet for reading some signs. Most people are willing to help teach you things there too |
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? | It is COLD the first half of the semester, bring jackets and prepare for wind and rain. But it gets much much better:) |
