Best Experience of My Life! Past Review
By Chrisovalantis G (American College of Thessaloniki (ACT)) - abroad from 09/17/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Thessaloniki - American College of Thessaloniki
I learned a lot about my culture and my country's history. It is something that I would not have been able to do if I just came for a few weeks in the summer. It was very worthwhile. Like I said, I've had the time of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
The International Programs Office staff are the best! They are very helpful and do everything they possibly can to help us out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Better than many dorms back in the US that I have been too. |
| * Food: |
Food and the staff at the cafeteria of ACT was great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
ACT does a great job of helping the students integrate with the local community and culture. The ACT students create a welcoming environment and it made it easier for me to be immersed in the Greek culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
On call doctor was always available when I felt ill. |
| * Safety: |
Not once did I feel unsafe during my stay at ACT! |
| 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) |
Greece is a very expensive country with the increase in taxes during this economic crisis. |
| * 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? | 170-180 Euro per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Visit the local open air market to pick up most of your produce. They food is fresh, taste great and cheaper than buying at a supermarket. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 7th Grade Greek |
| 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? | Talk with the ACT students as much as possible, it is by far the best way to learn and practice Greek. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Nope, CCIS and ACT do a great job preparing us for Greece. |
