My Odyssey in Athens Past Review
By Lizi L (Nursing, Winona State University) for
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
I have learned so much from my experiences. It really helped me to be able to empathize with people of all cultures, languages, etc. Everyone has different morals, cultures, languages, and beliefs, and it is important that we do not simply reject someone just because we don't agree with something they say or belief. Life is about living in harmony with those around us.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was perfect. I studied abroad with traveling as my main priority. The teachers were very understanding and flexible, which allowed me to travel almost every weekend. I also learned a lot of practical thing about the culture and language, which made every day life and assimilation so much easier. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dine was so incredibly helpful every step of the way. She took time to answer all my questions when I was considering the program and always made herself available to us throughout our entire stay. She was like of substitute mother. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Best food of my life. It's hard to dine at a bad restaurant in Athens |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went on excursions to Epidavros, Mycenea, and Ancient Olympia and to Meteora and Delphi. All we amazing places. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had no problems whatsoever. I felt safer in Athens then I do in my home town in Illinois. Athens is a very safe place, despite how it is portrayed on the news. Riots were very rare and contained to a a very small area of the city. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | less than $100 if you're not traveling |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling is more expensive than you think! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most Greeks in Athens speak English, but they loved to speak Greek back to you if you initiate it. It was a great way to practice. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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