Studying Abroad in Athens, Greece was the best experience of my life!!! Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for

Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES!!! Now that I have studied abroad I cant stop thinking about all of the other places I want to travel. I loved every aspect of studying abroad, especially in Greece. Greece has so much to offer (history, islands, etc) that I was never bored. Every weekend I was traveling somewhere, either within Greece or outside of Greece. I miss Greece everyday!! I still look at pictures from my study abroad experience all the time and it makes me so sad to think that I'm not still there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload at the University of Indianapolis at Athens was fairly light and easy. This is exactly what I wanted so that I could be free to travel without much academic obligations. I studied Greek Mythology, the History of Greece, Greek Architecture, and Child and Adolescent Psychology. The teaching methods were different from the American system because my professors in Greece were much more laidback and it was okay to walk into class 15 minutes late (the professors did the same).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved this program! Our program director was extremely helpful with any questions we had- be it about academics or travel. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone. My program had 20 students which was a good size because we all became very close.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment with 9 girls which was a lot of fun. We were right in the touristy section and so close to everything, which was perfect! Very close to class ( the university is right down the street) and fairly close to nightlife.

* Food:

The food in Greece is awesome! I especially liked the cheese pies and spinach pies and the greek salads.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everything is Greece is so beautiful i would recommend going everywhere! Especially the islands (my favorites were Crete, Santorini and Hydra). In mainland Greece, I would recommend going to Meteora.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Athens was very safe. Even though riots and protests occurred on a daily basis while i was there ( we lived down the street from where the riots were located), we still felt extremely safe. The riots seemed to be very controlled by police and once the riots were done with life went back to normal. There were no health issues in Greece.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people I met in my program, being in Athens/Greece in general, how helpful our program director was
* What could be improved?
  • nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would definitely study abroad in Athens again!! Or study abroad just in general. I believe it's very important to learn about other cultures. I also feel like it will make you become more confident in yourself once you come back to America and realize that you just spent 4 months living in another country that has a completely different culture than you.