How do you get to rock bottom: a memoir in Cyprus Past Review

By (George Mason University) - abroad from 09/22/2016 to 12/20/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and how to live independently

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses are interesting but not very challenging. Professors are very nice but classes are not always very structured.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program advisers are not always helpful. I don't always feel encouraged to ask questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Better than I expected but there were bugs everywhere, everything molds so quickly, the ceiling in the bathroom is mold, there's no tv, and beds and pillows are not comfortable and gross

* Food:

Everything in the area is the same and there is no variety. A lot of students in the area and most of the GS students don't have cars so eating in the area is our only option.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

People here are friendly and nice and I got along well with them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was easy for me to contact a doctor but the issue was with the doctors themselves. I went to one doctor about an ear problem, he asked me questions, and I paid him 40 euros. He then told me to go to another doctor and she charged me 50 euros. Neither of them took insurance.

* Safety:

City is very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would go somewhere else

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $1000.... I once paid 15 euros for eggs.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend too much on food.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Gyros
  • Meeting people
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Advisers
  • Including more in the program
  • Help students get more into the culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it gets cold in Cyprus...... no warning That transportation in Cyprus isn't the best Avocados are not ripe!!!!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

PSY 435: Psychology of Terrorism

Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Soukara, Stavroulla
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course gives a narrow perspective of terrorism in the 21rst century. It focused too much on certain terrorist groups and did not give a diverse range of other groups. It does not go into the history of terrorism either, rather simply discussing the most popular ones. The information was useful, but all the case studies focused too much on certain groups. I did participate a lot in the class and I was always prepared for exams, however, I did not feel that I learned a lot from the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: No