Incredible experience that i will remember for a lifetime! Past Review

By (SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 05/25/2012 to 06/24/2012 with

Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
i really learned that in general, people are good and friendly and kind and to not expect the worst of people. and yes totally worthwhile. i'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

the apartment was comfortable and spacious and the location was great but it was very dirty and we never received help from a cleaning staff as we were promised

* Food:

great! if looking to make changes, maybe have multiple voucher restaurants

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

we got the hang of things pretty quickly, and speaking greek wasn't necessary so we didn't have to worry about that. but it would have been nice to meet more people our age and to learn more of the language

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

i didn't have health issues

* Safety:

i felt much safer than i thought i would.

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)

clothes shopping is what did me in

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? one meal a day was included, i spent about $50-100 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? check your credit/debit card international rates; you may be charged up to 5 bucks for every transaction! buy food from the grocery store for breakfast and lunch, it's way cheaper. never buy food when you go to the beaches = MAD expensive!

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?
  • the staff was so helpful, welcoming
  • loved our awesome neighborhood (plaka) and the nice people we met there!
  • loved travelling to the islands!
* What could be improved?
  • cleaner apartments
  • more choices for food (for vouchers)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? the climate - i was completely in the dark!