Macedonia/Greece Dance Tour, YES! Past Review
By Christina M (Dance., Shenandoah University) for
Shenandoah University: Guided Experiential Learning / GEL
One thing we had our eyes opened to was the situation between Macedonia and Greece, turmoil-wise. They have semi-similar languages, similar histories, and used to be part of the same country. Currently they are in dispute over if Alexander the Great was Macedonian or Greek. If you tell Macedonians or Greeks that you have been or are going to the other country they either think you're two faced or ask you why you'd want to "go there".
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not enough dance classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Erica did not distribute our funds fairly. She rationed the money to us when she felt like giving it to us or remebered. In past trips the teachers just gave us our money and told us to be careful and tht if we run out we'll have to take care of ourselves |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
While dancing in Skopje the four on the trip were split between two places. Two got to live with a host family while myself and another ended up alone in an apartment owned by a pianist from the Theatre. We were much closer to the theatre but we didn't get the experience of a host family. We would have had a host family, but the host never came to get us so the pianist gave us her apartment. |
| * Food: |
Food was sooooo good everywhere... We fell in love with this restaurant on the river in Skopje. It's behind the mall on the opposite end of the row of restaurants from a nice irish pub. This restaurant had great tasting, cheap food and the best waiter in the whole world! He didnt speak any english but we found delightful and surprising ways to understand each other. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The added mini-trip to Greece after Macedonia was a huge plus for me. I didn't like the train ride (I was very ill and the train was very uncomfortable and hot...) but being in Athens was an amazing experience. We took a day trip to Poseidon's Temple which was beautiful and so relaxing! There was a little beach down the hill from the temple we spent part of the day at. I'd say beware of nudists but otherwise there's lots of private inlets you can seclude yourself in which are beautiful! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Skopje had a lot of beggars and gypsies. It's a 3rd world country so that should be expected... We were adequately warned before going on the trip and advised on how to carry our stuff so as not to have it stolen and we had no incidences whatsoever. Health issue-wise our faculty leader was very quick in trying to address illness or whatever. I, unfortunately, came down with a very bad stomach virus which left me utterly unable to hold water in my body whatsoever. Erica Helm's quick response in giving me her antibiotic as soon as it could be cleared with my doctor back home by email probably saved my life. |
| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Dancers especially, but also someone interested in seeing aspects of two cultures whose histories are fairly closely entwined. Or, someone who has interest in Greek history and/or ancient temples. :) |
Comments
Reviewed by Jean Hayes, SU Study Abroad Coordinator
deleted-1543242593Shenandoah_Advisor June 22, 2011
