During the spring semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, I participated, through Panteion University, in a student exchange program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), specifically within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).
My experience at the university was exceptional. The student team responsible for welcoming us was particularly helpful, and they were always willing to answer any questions we had and to guide us with anything we needed. They also made sure to frequently organize activities such as bowling, ice skating, and a farewell barbecue, giving all international students the opportunity to meet each other and spend time together.
The courses I attended were especially interesting and very diverse from one another, offering many options and flexibility in my schedule. All professors were very approachable, and lectures were conducted in small classes of typically 20–30 students or more, while some courses had up to 100 students. Specifically, the courses I attended were: History of Islamic Middle East, Governance and Politics of China, Warfare: Military Institutions and Society, and American Political Theory. The teaching of all courses was very engaging and varied. The professors used many different media, sources, and materials (texts, documentaries, films, quizzes, and theatrical reenactments), which made the learning process very interesting and enhanced participation. Attendance was mandatory, and emphasis was placed on consistent effort and engagement with the course through weekly assignments, questionnaires, and text analysis.
Regarding the university’s facilities and services, I was positively impressed, as the size of the campus was very large, giving the feeling that I was in a beautiful and well-maintained town. The spaces were comfortable and well-organized, and there was a wide variety of parks, libraries, and study areas, giving students the opportunity to adapt their schedules to their needs, as many of these spaces remain open 24/7. Additionally, the campus hosts supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, a pharmacy, a gym, and a clinic, covering all student needs. It is important to note that the university places significant emphasis on student safety. Mandatory seminars on on-campus safety are held, emergency and support hotlines operate for any problem or danger, and students are systematically informed via messages about any risk or potential threat (incidents of violence, reports of harassment, or danger due to natural disasters). Furthermore, the SafeRide service is offered (transporting students to their residence in case they feel any insecurity or threat).
All of the above created a particularly positive impression of the university, as everything seemed organized with the aim of supporting students and enhancing their productivity. These months were a unique experience for me, giving me the opportunity to experience a different teaching approach, meet and interact with people from all over the world, discover new ways of thinking and cultures, and broaden my horizons and knowledge. Finally, UIUC has a particularly active Greek student community, which helped me with my adjustment and with any questions I had, making my stay there truly special.
Lila Zafeiri, Dept. of International and European Studies
