76 reviews
4.07 / 5 based on 76 reviews
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1
pmenard99
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Find the MENSA, or student restaurant, off Benaki Street in Exharia -- an enormous amount of Greek faves for less than 3Euros (and if you save your ticket, you can go back for a free dinner).
Find the Otta-Athens-Non-Tourist things to do: there's a monastary not too far from the airport that teaches Byzantine sacred music -- you can go in and watch/listen to the nuns singing. Evia island is an easy getaway with amazing mountain villages and nice beaches. Anyone intersted in Karagiozi (Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre) should check out the shop at 20 Apollonos Street and talk to Stavros.
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0
pmenard99
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Personal comments
There is no housing provided by the university for THYESPA students and many are left out in the cold (or in hotels). There is a list of room renters available from the unviersity, but actually securing a room is one of the most difficult aspects of the program. You're on your own.
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0
pmenard99
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Overall, Food, Travel, Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Cafe prices have skyrocketed since the introduction of the Euro -- which is perfectly fine if you plan to sip a Frappe for two hours (as most Greeks do). But if you just need a fast drink, head to the low-priced periptera -- or kiosks.
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0
pmenard99
Academic
Course recommendations
The language intensive is, well, not very intense. For students to really make strides in their Greek, they must take it upon themselves to find additional work outside the classroom. Athens is a city where students don't have to speak Greek if they really don't want to, so an effort MUST be made to use the language at every chance (no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel).
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Some students (and some of those on scholarship) are more interested in Greek vacation than Greek studies. There is little to no evaulation of students by the university -- a strong ability to work independantly is essential (if you really want to improve your Greek). The weekend excursions provided by the university are FANTASTIC and a terrific opportunity to work on your Greek. Not to be missed.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Useful |
2
pmenard99
Overall
I wish I had known...
To qualify for the weekend excursions, you must receive the additional government grant AND place into a language class above the third-year level. These trips are the best part of the program -- so fight for the grant and study before your placement exam.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
More class time (the school day is from 9:00 to 12:30 Monday through Thursday) and more coursework.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
The THYESPA Program is great but requires a fully independant student. At times, the University treats you like royalty -- especially on the weekend excursions -- but it fails in basic administration. Stay strong and fight for what you need, and don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call up strangers in broken Greek (it's the only way you'll find a place to live).
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0
pmenard99
Languages
Language of instruction: Greek
Was learning Greek a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Greek
How much did you improve your Greek?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
The opportunity for speaking in class is not what I would wish it to be. Again, students need to push themselves to use Greek at every opportunity. The grammar and reading/writing portions of the course were the highest emphasis. After completing the course, I spent a week on a Greek farm with relatives who do not speak any English. This was far more valuable (as far as speaking in everyday situations) than the six-week grammar-focused course at the National University.
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