A Whole New World Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 09/27/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
Perrotis College: Thessaloniki - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained so many things that I was able to take with me. A big theme was perspective and acceptance. I was with a wonderful group of Americans and built so many lasting friendships with them. But in the beginning, I unfairly made judgment calls on them just because they practiced different ways of living than I did. Throughout the term, we bonded and went through so many situations together that built our friendships and allowed me to break down these superficial barriers. I also learned there's so much to learn from different cultures. Greeks are lovely and challenging at times, but overall they have a great heart. They have a particular passion that is so inspiring. I also learned how to always rely on yourself. You are the one who is always there throughout your life; you need to be secure in yourself. I missed the environment I was living in back home where I am surrounded by people who believe and think in similar ways, and when I went into a new environment where people were not like-minded, it began to break me wishing I was back home, but I also grew from the challenge and distance
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
No
I loved meeting all of the wonderful people and experiencing new things. But to me, the program seemed unfair. I felt as if the college was catering to the Americans and listening to us more than they would of a Greek student. It was most visible in the administration, however, a lot of the professors seemed to have great relationships with all students. The undeserved privilege was repulsive and not okay. The structure of lessons at Perrotis was different than it is in America, which was a big change I had trouble getting used to. Instead of meeting an hour three times a week, we would meet once a week for three hours. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe around 20 Euro |
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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Make friends with the local students and speak with them. Use what you know when you go downtown to a coffee shop, in small everyday situations. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | Try to learn the language and save money so you can travel. Also, keep a journal, a camera, some form of documentation. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
