UGA - FACS - Greece Study Abroad Program : Testimonials (Athens)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by UGA StudyAway
Final Reflection Questions
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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My most significant take-aways from my experience was how much I learned about the Greek culture. This included the material we learned from lecture about the Greek economy and the economic crisis they are currently going through. However, this also included being immersed in their day-to-day life, whether it was eating dinner at a traditional Greek restaurant, or visiting a local beach. I learned a lot about myself during this experience as well, and easier ways for me to adjust to big changes, like traveling and living in a different country.
— Alyssa Farnell, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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It is difficult to explain or pick one experience that was my favorite moment on this trip; they were all unbelievable. I was overall so blessed to experience another culture and cities in the world. This was a shock to me and was an indescribable feeling. Learning about such history in Athens, Santorini and Thessaloniki was something pictures will never do justice. Simply driving around each city and seeing historic monuments or a piece of the past known around the world was a surreal feeling. Not to mention, one of the top take-aways was their sensational food we ate on a daily basis!
— Gracie Hovan, Summer 2017 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The class was interesting, I loved learning about the Greek culture, and meeting new people on the trip were some of my favorite parts.
— Anna Eisenbeis, Maymester 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I have a much better understanding of Greek culture and the economic crisis.
— Hunter Hodges, Maymester 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I learned so much about Greek culture and the economy. I feel confident that I could explain the economic crisis in Greece now.
— Emily Johnson, Maymester 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The most significant take-aways that I had came from our site visits. It was incredible going through the historic sites with our tour guide because she was able to tell us all the information and history behind the artifacts. The people on our trip also made it very memorable and created friendships that I was not expecting.
— Melanie Meier, Maymester 2018 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I enjoyed the hands on/site seeing experiences! The activities were amazing and the directors made me feel welcome and comfortable.
— Emma Brown, Maymester 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Don't be afraid to try new things. One of the major differences in culture was the food. I tried things in Greece that I would have never eaten in the U.S. and actually ended up liking it. When you get the opportunity to travel, it is worth it to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone. Through my experiences I learned that while cultures around the world are very different, people are still just people and it's important to treat everyone with kindness and respect. I think I am better able to appreciate the things that make us different, and I have a greater understanding of how cultural differences do not define us.
— Sarah Cowart, Maymester 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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The immense cultural delve! It was really cool to see the contrast to American culture.
— Tyler Hammaren, Maymester 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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I have never been out of the country, so experience a new culture was definitely my biggest take away. I feel like I now how a new few and appreciation for other cultures.
— Hannah North, Maymester 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Greece was unlike any place I had ever been, and I really feel like we got immersed into the culture when we went. I loved taking classes from Greek professors and citizens, and the food was amazing! It was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone.
— Grace Repella, Maymester 2019 |
What were the most significant take-aways from your experience?
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Greece is more beautiful in real life than in any of the movies and pictures. This experience was an amazing way to extend my world view.
— Karen Stubbs, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Get ready for very busy days. You start your days very early with lectures, and end your days rather late with dinner. Have an open mind when it comes to trying new things, whether it be new foods or new experiences.
— Alyssa Farnell, Summer 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Advice: GO on this trip and take this course! The only thing I wish I had done differently was to learn more of their language before going. I was trying to learn key words along the trip, so I wish I knew at least a few general sentences and words before going on the trip. I hope to help with this trip further in the future and would by far recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for a study abroad, life changing experience!
— Gracie Hovan, Summer 2017 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Be prepared to walk a lot and have the best time of your life!
— Cassidy Bizzell, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Don't think twice. Even if you don't know anyone going on the trip you will make friends!
— Anna Eisenbeis, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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They should definitely go, it's a tremendous experience.
— Hunter Hodges, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Definitely be open to exploring all aspects of Greek culture. The courses are really interesting no matter what your major is.
— Emily Johnson, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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I would tell them to absolutely do this program because it is filled with a great iteanrry. I would tell them to go into the program with an open mind and ask questions on all of the site visits. I learned some of the most interesting facts on our tours by asking the people questions. Greece is an incredible place with a very different culture, which made it even more interesting learning about.
— Melanie Meier, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Do it and have fun. Even if you aren't that fond of some of the other students on the trip, it's up to you to have fun. Don't let what other people do define your experience.
— Kameron Patel, Maymester 2018 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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DO IT! It was the best experience ever. Highly recommend. I would say to make the most of the days. You're going to be tired and worn out, but it is worth it. Trip was amazing.
— Emma Brown, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you have never travelled abroad before or you like things that are very planned out and organized, go on this study abroad. It was the perfect amount of time to see everything and not get homesick or too tired. Make sure to try all of the food and to take every opportunity to explore the cities. If you are on the fence about going to another country, this program was like a home away from home. All of the students got very close and we became close with the program directors as well.
— Sarah Cowart, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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It is the best study abroad!!
— Sara Elhabbassi, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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This was the best experience I could have ever asked for! The food was amazing, the people were great, the professors are incredible. If you're thinking about it, just do it!
— Erin Logsdon, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Take every and any opportunity possible to try something that you wouldn't normally be able to do.
— Rashawn Merchant, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Take advantage of this amazing opportunity if you can!! It will be one of the best experiences of your college career.
— Hannah North, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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If you are hesitating to do a study abroad do it! Don't hesitate! I was unsure of how it would be and went into the trip not knowing anyone and ended up becoming friends with everyone on the trip! It was such an amazing experience and a great length for a study abroad! The program directors are amazing and you will see the most beautiful places and experience the best food on this trip!
— Grace Repella, Maymester 2019 |
What are your words of advice to students considering this program?
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Do it! You won't regret going on this trip. Between the beautiful sites and delicious food, Greece is the perfect spot to study abroad!
— Karen Stubbs, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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The Greek economic crisis sparked a lot of interest in economics for me. I have taken multiple economic courses at UGA, but this one was especially interesting because you were in the middle of everything that was happening, as well as applying terms that you have learned in econ before, but never got to see how they were actually used in real life situations. This experience made me more accepting to new experiences, and also made me realize how fortunate I am to have a reliable economy. It may not have changed my mind for a degree choice, but it made me much more informed about how an economy works and what effects it, and will keep me interested for what happens to my economy as well as other countries economies for the future.
— Alyssa Farnell, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This experience broadened my life view to more experiences around the world. I intend to travel to foreign places often now and hope to gain much more worldly knowledge as I did from Greece. This experience has me not only wanting to travel, but I am now heavily considering learning a second language so I can further my knowledge and deepen the connection with other cultures. Since I an pursuing real estate as a career, I am considering buying properties in places such as Greece and potentially other cities I will travel in the future. This trip was something I never thought I could experience personally, but am now beyond thankful to have experienced!
— Gracie Hovan, Summer 2017 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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The topic of the program is really interesting. It relates to many majors and we had a wide range of lecturers in Greece that all talked about specific subareas of the topic. It also made me more curious and want to learn more about Greece's economy.
— Anna Eisenbeis, Maymester 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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It's encouraged me to travel more to learn about other cultures.
— Hunter Hodges, Maymester 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I learned about agriculture and the environment in Greece. This was a subject I had never learned about before and already in my course of business (accounting) I have encountered agriculture! I also really enjoyed learning about the Greek financial crisis and would like to work for a global company in the future.
— Emily Johnson, Maymester 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This impacted my personal goals because it made me want to learn a foreign language. It frustrating that Americans are some of the only people that only speak one language. I would love to learn another language. It also impacted my career because I definitely want to work abroad now so that I can live in another culture for awhile. I also feel like that is the best way to learn a language and would be a great learning opportunity.
— Melanie Meier, Maymester 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I had a great time. Personally, I wore my Real Madrid jersey while strolling around Santorini, and it was amazing how many people just walked up and started talking to me. Those are memories that I will have for a lifetime. I don't really know how this experience impacted me in terms of possible career and future educational goals, but what I do know is that it just further instilled my belief that everyone should travel as much as possible, for the world is full of possibilities just waiting to be discovered.
— Kameron Patel, Maymester 2018 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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Experience and perspective. This trip gave me new insight on what goes on in other countries. There is so much more to that world and so many people. I enjoyed making connections about stuff I had previously learned and applying it to content on the trip.
— Emma Brown, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I have always loved to travel and go on new adventures, but after this trip I especially have the urge to travel more. I would like to find a way in my future career to go back to Greece or somewhere else in the world. I also am now considering taking a gap year before grad school to take the time to travel and explore other cultures.
— Sarah Cowart, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I feel like I learned a lot about different cultures.
— Sara Elhabbassi, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I'm really excited to come back and see how this experience has changed how I learn and how I go about studying now that I've had an incredibly hands on experience.
— Tyler Hammaren, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I came back with a far more mature and sophisticated attitude than I left with. I feel grateful for my life and so lucky to be attending UGA. It elevated my personal morale so much that I am so driven to succeed in every way, whether its educational, career-wise or personal.
— Erin Logsdon, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I was definitely able to learn a lot about international agriculture which was something I'll be able to take with me.
— Rashawn Merchant, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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After this trip, I definitely want to start traveling more and learning about different cultures across the world. I am really interested in real estate so I hope I can study the real estate market in not only Greece bit across the world. The one class that we took that talked about the real estate market was fascinating to me.
— Hannah North, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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I will remember this trip forever! It was an amazing experience and it inspired me to travel to more places and experience more diverse cultures!
— Grace Repella, Maymester 2019 |
How did the experience impact you and your future educational/career/personal goals?
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This program not only expanded my world view, but helped me understand the financial crisis of Greece. I was able to take the lectures we had and apply them to financial knowledge that I already had to obtain a greater knowledge of the European Union and the European Central Banks. As an agribusiness major, I was also able to learn how the agricultural sector in Greece differs from the United States.
— Karen Stubbs, Maymester 2019 |