Athens: A Month in the City of Sun and Marble Past Review

By (Classical Studies, Western Washington University) for

Western Washington University: Athens - Classical studies in Greece

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES. Diane Johnson and the Athens Centre made the trip one of my favorite memories and I became very good friends with several people I traveled with - and I'm still in contact with one woman from the Centre. With all the political drama going on with Greece recently, I'm glad I had the opportunity to visit Athens and learn about their language, history, culture and politics.

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.

All of our classes were with our WWU professor so the grading and teaching were the same as when we were at school. The workload and expected reading was reasonable for our time there.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone at the Athens Centre was helpful, kind and wonderful to all of the students and faculty from visiting schools.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments we stayed in were furnished and very comfortable. I lived with three other students from our trip and never felt unsafe. The building was a two minute walk to the Athens Centre and had an amazing view of the city from the top floor. Our group wasn't big into the "nightlife", but Varnava square was right down the street and had good restaurants, bars and a bakery. Also, an excellent market was less than five minutes walking distance around the corner from our building.

* Food:

Every restaurant we went to offered excellent food and usually a wide variety of choices. I loved having fresh Greek salad available every day anywhere we went.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Dinner with our group and members of the Centre on our first and last nights, early morning walks to the Acropolis on our days off, dinner in the square down the street from our apartment, day trips outside of Athens set up by the Centre.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

One student was stung by a jellyfish and two others stepped on sea urchins, but the Athens Centre was helpful and the students were able to get to a pharmacy. No other health-related adventures were endured.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Practice with everyone! Other students, people at the bakery, restaurants and sites around the city. Lots of people speak enough English to understand you, but learning the key words and phrases will help a ton.

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?
  • Our WWU faculty - Diane Johnson
  • Accessibility of Athens Centre and their resources
* What could be improved?
  • Length of trip - should be longer!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students need to be open to lots of walking, hot weather and long days out in the city. I also suggest that you, the student, get to know your classmates from your own program, as well as the students from other schools that visit at the same time. Most of all, remember why you're traveling and make the most of your time!