The best place to grow and learn about yourself Past Review
By AnnMary Baker (SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 06/24/2016 to 07/24/2016 with
Webster University: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
Learned there is much more to the world than the city I grew up in. That you have so much in common with people all over the world and getting to know them will bring such happiness to your life!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dina and Tom, the two main administration, are amazing! Helped me in every possible. They made my experience the best it could have been. I have them to thank for everything! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The best part! Delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Felt like I was part of the Greek family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The administration are always a phone call away and if you are feeling ill they are there to help you. There are pharmacies on every corner that have a lot of over-the-counter prescriptions. |
| * Safety: |
Never once was concerned about my safety. Very safe city! Although, as the administration will tell you, there is a major pick-pocketing problem in Greece. Make sure to keep track of your wallet and personal belongings while out-and-about. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the people a met, the administration, the school, and most importantly, the City. Athens will always be on my mind. |
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) |
I liked to eat a lot but was able to stay on a <$200 budget. Everything is Greece is relatively cheap than compared to food/merchandise in the U.S.. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around <$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use public transportation as much as possible! And split groceries with your roommates. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Most Greek's speak English but the Intro to Greek class encouraged us to speak in the native language. And I'm glad they did, adds a lot more to your experience if you fully immerse yourself. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Only a 100 level course. (I was only there 1 month) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice with each other. My roommates and I would try to speak to each other in Greek and it helped. Also, when you go out to eat, try to use conversational Greek when ordering or getting the waiters attention. They love when non-Greeks try and use Greek, they are also very impressed. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That Athens is not a city where justice can be done in just a month, wish I had longer! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intro to Greek |
| Course Department: | Language |
| Instructor: | Professor Vasiliou |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | Professor Vasiliou was not only helpful within the course but out of it as well. She was a huge part of integrating me into the Greek culture and was willing to help me no matter the question. Great course! Helped me to communicate with the Greeks in their own language! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
