Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Adventure in Nicosia. Past Review

By (Clemson University) - abroad from 06/03/2016 to 07/08/2016 with

University of Nicosia - Global Semesters: Nicosia - Semester in Cyprus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained exposure to Greek and Cypriot culture and experience traveling internationally.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, the classes were well suited for a 5.5 week course. However, I think the students could have handled a more difficult course load. Since we are getting credit for rigorous classes taken at home, it would be more comforting to have more coursework to show what we learned.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The global semesters team is very helpful and knowledgeable of the programs and the university. They made us all feel safe and welcome in a new country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was less than a minute walk from the University. It was also within walking distance from a Starbucks, several coffee shops, the grocery store, our advisers, and several restaurants. The only complaint I had about the apartments were the beds. If I were there for an entire semester, I definitely would have invested in a mattress pad.

* Food:

No meal plan was provided, so any food you ate was either bought at a restaurant or the grocery store. The University had really yummy, relatively cheap food and coffee at the cafeteria. It was somewhat difficulty to manage food for one without it going bad too early. The best thing to do was to share the food and split the cost with food. We also split meals at restaurants, because the portions were pretty large.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There weren't very many students at the University of Nicosia during the summer, so it felt a little lonely. It was difficulty to meet locals because most of the Cypriots our age were working during the summer, home, or at the beaches. Most Cypriots keep to themselves, but were friendly.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The pharmacies were easily accessible on foot or by taxi. None of the students in our program needed to access formal healthcare. I obtained a Hepatitis A vaccine prior to visiting Cyprus, but most other students did not.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Nicosia.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

It was a nicely balanced program. It was just enough time away from home and fun classes.

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)

It was easy to spend money at restaurants and for excursions. ATM fees and international fees really added up.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Either use a credit card or travelex card to avoid ATM fees. Each ATM in Nicosia charges an ATM fee and an international fee.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Professors
  • Food
  • Free time
* What could be improved?
  • Class rigor
  • Air conditioning
  • Program Fee
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had a card with no international fees and had planned my free days before the program began.

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 Urbanite
A 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.