Program Reviews

My time in Athens through CYA was an experience of a lifetime. I delved deeper into my passions, explored islands, and made memories I will never forget! The admins were very understanding when my flight was delayed and even accommodated for my late arrival. One of the best aspects of CYA is the cultural connection students experience from living in apartments in Pangrati! While living an apartment building that also hosts local residents, I was able to become friends with surrounding neighbors, learn about local spots, and feel more connected to the local scene.

To those who want a rigorous academic experience as an undergraduate, this program is not very fitting. On the other hand, if you want to build a personal connection with Athens, this program is good because it's not exclusive. Courses cover a broad range, from classical languages to economy and human rights. There are more chances to meet people and build networks if you have that intention. It's also fitting for people who want to fulfill their general education/ distribution requirements, especially in the humanities, in a less stressful environment.

I personally encountered a great opportunity. One of my professors was an editor for an academic website. She offered to post the essay I wrote for her class on that website. I think this can never happen back in the US. Another special experience for me is taking Topography of Athens, a course exclusively held on-site. We climbed up to the Acropolis more than 5 times. The big archaeological sites were our classrooms, and as familiar as our own homes.

As a Classics major, I also enjoyed being around people who are in the same major. I've never met so many people in classics before. We received a distinguished scholar to give a talk on Sparta during the semester. We had two workshops outside regular coursework, one on the historian Thucydides, and the other on Latin Paleography. We had a PhD candidate from the American School of Classical Studies at Athens come and give a talk on Roman Greece, a topic not so popular but very intriguing for those who are interested in cultural exchanges and identities within an empire, plus a crash course on modern Greek national rhetoric.

This will be an experience I will cherish forever. I was able to explore a new country, be embedded in a rich culture, foster lifelong relationships, and learn more about myself along the way. The courses and professors were exceptional. The organization and administration of the program were efficient, timely, and effective. I felt safe, loved, and supported throughout my time in Greece. I traveled and have grown so much personally, academically, and professionally. If I could do it all again, I would!

12/10 experience! I had the chance to learn about religious history right where it all happened. We visited sites like the Parthenon and the monasteries in Meteora which were unforgettable. I also enjoyed the stunning scenery and delicious Greek food. The program perfectly blended learning with exploring Greek culture. If you're interested in history/religion and want an incredible adventure, I highly recommend taking the Geography of Faith Course with Professor Afzal. CYA also offers lots of other classes in lots of different subjects ranging from biology to archeology.

I had a wonderful time studying abroad through CYA due to the student support services, travel experiences, cultural excursions, and internship opportunities that were provided. Having the chance to travel to both Crete and the Peloponnese region in the country of my heritage was a once in a life time opportunity, and I am so grateful that these experiences were included in the program costs, as they would have been an undertaking to plan on my own. Additionally, the provision of daily lunches during the week was greatly appreciated. While we did not have the opportunity to immerse ourselves with local Greek students, I did feel that my classes offered field trips that gave us a greater sense of the local culture - especially my Sustainable Social Housing Course with Dr. Evgenia Tousi, where we took weekly field visits to social housing neighborhoods around Athens. These field visits were both informative and eye-opening and allowed for the course to be very engaging as a study abroad student. Additionally, I was able to take part in an internship at a local environmental non-profit through CYA and feel like I have gained so much both academically and professionally throughout my experience. For a student hoping to meet more international students or fully immerse themselves in an international language and culture in an unsupported environment, this may not be the ideal program for them. I would instead recommend this program for a student that does not have much travel experience and desires more support from the program they take part in, as the caring faculty as well as the presence of American peers make the adjustment to a foreign country with an unfamiliar language much smoother. Overall, I learned a variety of skills while studying abroad, including time management, budgeting, the importance of self-care, and cultural interaction. As I had little travel experience outside of the US going into my semester abroad, I felt that this program was very worthwhile, as it provided me with the support and resources to live own my own in a foreign country, in addition to planning trips around Greece and other parts of Europe. Coming off of my semester at CYA, I felt empowered to travel on my own without fear, and I appreciate all of the knowledge I was able to gain while in a supportive and encouraging environment.

All of the professors and the rest of the staff did an amazing job of making sure that all the students were happy, safe, and learning. The professors were very approachable both in and out of class and did their best to make the material engaging whether it be through assigning project or group discussions or by hosting the class outside or doing a field trip to an archaeological site. Nikki did a great job of organizing social activities in the evenings, many of which included going out into another neighborhood in Athens to get more acquainted with elements of Greek culture.

During my time in Greece, I felt incredibly safe while exploring ancient ruins, relaxing on Mykonos' beaches, and enjoying delicious Greek cuisine. The College Year in Athens (CYA) optional trips added excitement, and weekday lunches offered authentic dishes like salads, souvlaki, and tzatziki. Sharing these meals with fellow student travelers enhanced the sense of community and cultural immersion. The warmth and hospitality of the Greek people, along with engaging in local customs and festivals, made my journey unforgettable and deeply enriching. The generosity and friendliness of the Greek people were evident in every interaction, making me feel like a welcomed guest in their beautiful land.

Truly a transformative few months. Athens is such a magical city. History is everywhere. The nature is divine. The sea is accessible. Lively political scene, solidarity groups and collectives are prolific. The city is diverse with plenty of cool people, it's always alive and theres always something to do in Athens. The food is delicious and not too expensive, I mean having haloumi gyros for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Doesn't get better than that! I truly recommend this experience to anyone looking to experience life to its fullest potential.

During my time abroad, I was able to branch out and step out of my comfort zone by meeting many people I had not known prior to my experience abroad! Having to live on my own away from my family helped me to become more independent and broaden my understanding of different cultures around the world. Being able to fully adapt to the new location I was living in was such a great experience. I am so grateful that I was able to try new foods, see many famous historical sites, and take a course that would not have been offered at my home university!

CYA was a great program! They offered lots of classes relevant to my interests as a studio art / anthropology double major and the field studies that are part of the program are built-in travel that allowed me to explore all of Greece, not just Athens. The apartment provided by the program was nice and close to the CYA's building. Athens was walkable and it was awesome to have so many classes meet at sites and museums rather than just sitting in a classroom all the time. There are also breaks and no classes on Fridays which made it easy to do independent travel such as take a ferry to an island. CYA also arranged lots of activities for students with the goal of immersing us in Greek culture. These were affordable and made me feel like I belonged in Athens. I had a wonderful experience that I walked away from having learned a lot about Greece and myself. I am more independent than I was, more experienced as a traveler, and I have discovered new interests that I plan to pursue now that I am back in the U.S.. Because of CYA I fell in love with Greece and plan to return in the future whether it is for my career or simply to visit.