Already Dying to Go Back

While I've always wanted to travel to Greece, CYA created such a unique experience for me that I don't think I would've otherwise had. The faculty and staff were all so caring and understanding, attempting to get to know us as individuals first, and they made every attempt to ensure we had the fullest experience possible. I was able to complete a full semester's load of courses both within and majors and outside of them, and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. From archaeology classes at the Parthenon to anthropology classes on walks through the various neighborhoods of Athens, CYA's emphasis on on-site learning really added an essential component to my stay in Greece. Nowhere was this more evident than our field study trip throughout Greece. Within a week, we traveled to dozens of notable sites and towns including Sparta, Olympia, Delphi, and Thessaloniki. Each place had something new to offer, with our helpful instructors giving us deeper insights to every site, whether they were historical or cultural. Even outside of school, CYA encouraged us to explore the country, giving us recommendations on places to eat around the neighborhood, sites to travel to on our days off, and common Greek phrases we could use with the locals. Pangrati, the neighborhood we lived in, began to feel like home, and the people I met both within the program and outside of it began to feel like family. Despite the pandemic, I had a full experience of Greece, and I can't wait to go back for more!