Perfect way to spend my summer break! Past Review

By (Clinical Psychology, University of Indianapolis) - abroad from 08/03/2012 to 08/22/2012 with

Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was truly a once in a lifetime experience in which I was completely immersed in another culture. It was worthwhile because as a graduate student, I probably will not get the opportunity to travel abroad again!

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 class requirements were clearly laid out, and the instructor was very knowledgeable. She was very understanding in not letting the classwork overwhelm our experience in Greece.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The director of the student affairs was extremely helpful in showing us around Greece, as well as answering any questions we had about the program, our living situation, etc.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartments had good internet connection, working AC. No complaints!

* Food:

Can't comment because we bought all our food and ate out in the surrounding areas. I dont know if the University has a cafeteria/meal plans.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We explored on our own a lot, but the school also provided us with really fun excursions to the islands, cities of Olympia and Delphi, etc. and great sight seeing around Athens!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not have any health issues but I am sure they would have been addressed.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe! Just be aware of your belongings because pick-pocketing is common here. But no one in my group had any issues.

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)

Our expenses were about $200 a week to cover food/admissions to places/random spending. But you would need a little more for shopping and big purchases.

* 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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Grabbing breakfast on the streets (like pastry and fruit) saved money. Also, you are charged to sit down at restaurants, so we typically only sat down at nice places for dinner. Also, every restaurant charges for water so we always brought our own water bottles to meals!

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The culture
  • The structured activities/excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Internet connection in one apartment was bad
  • But nothing else!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To pack lightly because you bring a lot of stuff home! And to save a little bit more money so that I could spend it on fun things!