Greece is a little dusty and hot, but it's also a lot of fun Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 06/06/2012 to 06/28/2012 with

St. Mary's College of Maryland: Athens - Greece Study Tour: Athletes, Actors and Sages

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A taste for international travel and perspective on life in America. It was most definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Small tavernas are great for good, cheap food; bigger restaurants like to put larger tips on your bill.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Knowing the basic greetings and phrases will probably be enough since the tour is relatively short. The more you know, however, the more you're likely to get out of the trip

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • 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 instructors
  • The food
  • The variety of the destinations
* What could be improved?
  • More time in Ancient Corinth
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Vigilant use of spray-on sunscreen trumps wearing silly hats any day. Also, Tinos is probably the windiest place I've ever been.