Program Reviews

CYA provides an incredible educational experience that emphasizes study travel and experiential learning. Classes sessions are often held outside of the classroom in museums, at archaeological sites, and other relevant locations around Athens. Additionally, the incredible faculty lead extended field study trips throughout the semester, that allow students to experience more of Greece outside of Athens. Additionally, the program staff are very supportive of student's personal and academic wellbeing and growth. I wish I could have stayed another semester, but I hope to return to CYA in the future!

My experience at CYA was nothing short of INCREDIBLE. I studied abroad in Fall of 2023, which was during my senior year of college. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing my time in Athens was. CYA does a great job of creating a support system to make the transition to Athens as smooth as possible and set you up for success. From the very start, it was super easy to meet people and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the city better. The field studies were also really incredible - we went to Crete and the Peloponnese, both of which were phenomenal. If you are considering CYA, absolutely go for it! It was the best semester abroad I could have possibly imagined.

Originally, I was hesitant to study abroad - I am so grateful I did. CYA was the only program that I believed would give me freedom, be close to ruins, and help me explore Greece. With the mandatory field studies, I was able to see Southern Greece, Northern Greece, and the island of Crete. Along with the optional studies, I was able to visit another Greek island and Rome, Italy. The convenience of transportation, accommodations, and an expert professor taken care of, I was truly able to soak in the experience! The accessibility of the Port of Piraeus and the Athens Airport made it easy to travel to the Greek islands and the EU. The town of Pangrati (in Athens) has the best local cafes, bars, and tavernas. Only a twenty minute walk to the Acropolis and Plaka - being able to steer clear of tourists. I loved this experience!

Was the highlight of my life truly. Getting to experience new countries and Greece itself has been life-changing. I have tried new foods, met new people, and learned more about the Greek language and my heritage. We went to various places in Greece like the Peloponnese, Crete, Delphi, Meteora, etc. Food like moussaka and gyros are definitely worth a try if you haven't had them. Food is inexpensive. There is a farmers market every Friday in Pangrati and you can get some good fruit/vegetables/items for cheap prices. I would recommend CYA and Athens in general to anyone that I can because it really is an amazing city.

CYA is an amazing way to experience a new culture, society, and way of living. The program is extremely well designed, with numerous field trips allowing for a truly immersive, educational experience. The professors were helpful and all the other students were eager to be there. I recommend this to anyone hoping to study abroad, especially if you are unsure where to go! CYA not only shows students Greece, but offers the flexibility for you to schedule your own weekend travel around Europe which I greatly enjoyed.

I was unsure about studying abroad before coming to Greece. CYA gives you lots of information before coming to make the transition much easier. You then go on a trip to Delphi where you get to see lots of Greece and meet a lot of people before the stresses of classes start. The classes are very interesting and the other school trips throughout the semester are super fun. My living situation was great and my roomates became some of my best friends. Any questions you have throughout the year CYA is happy to answer and I found all the teachers and staff to be super nice.

I studied abroad with CYA this past summer, and I have no bad things to say about it. I took the Contemporary Art around the Greek Islands, a travel intensive course. The course material and travel itineraries were always very well prepared and scheduled. We were always given breakfast even when we were not at the main academic suite (usually when we were on one of the islands). We were given plenty of time to explore the cities on our own but still have opportunities to learn and practice course content.

My professor knew the material very well, was kind, and I could tell that she was a great representation of all CYA professors. They understood exactly how to motivate and support us.

The experience was immersive and I cannot wait to go back to Greece!

Studying abroad with CYA in Athens was one of the best decisions of my life! I had a transformative experience and credit my positive abroad time to the students, staff, and administration at CYA. Even though you are immersed in an entirely new country, CYA makes the process seamless through pre-departure meetings and in-depth assistance during our first weeks in Athens. My classes were engaging and thorough with many professors acting as tour guides and mentors throughout our time in Pangrati. The living situation made it feel like a home away from home with kind, compatible roommates who remain close friends of mine. I even had the opportunity to intern and work in Athens in my area of study. CYA brings out the best parts of Athens by highlighting phenomenal dining, interesting cultural events, and even travel options in and outside of Greece. I am so grateful to have chosen CYA and would recommend it to anyone interested in exploring Greece on a deeper level.

As a college athlete studying abroad for a semester is nearly impossible. CYA gave me the opportunity to study abroad for a month in the summer, and I will forever be grateful for this experience. You get to live like a local while studying abroad in Athens. You live in an apartment in Pangrati and are immersed in the culture. With the summer programs, you also get to island hop which makes your experience even better. You get to explore different parts of Greece each week. This made the experience one of a kind because every course explores different islands so it is fun to compare with everyone else and explain your own individual experiences with the program!

My time in Athens was perhaps one of the most memorable moments in my academic career. I am a history major, and for me, I spent my time learning through books and videos at my home institute. CYA though allowed me to get hands-on learning, take my knowledge, and applied it to the field. I got to live a short walk away from the Parthenon, get the chance to climb up the steps to Delphi that famous Greek legends walked upon, and work with human bronze age remains. If you're history.archaeology/classics major, CYA is the way to go. If you're not into the history stuff like me, CYA offers a rich assortment of experiences, cultural activities, and wide education that can be fitted to almost any major. But outside of education, you're living in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. The people there are enthusiastic, the streets are filled with activity and a walk outside of your apartment always offers adventure. I left this program a changed person, and now all my days are filled with daydreaming about going back to the city of Athens, as I miss the professors, my friends, and the daily life there. Any study abroad can offer you excitement and a great experience, but CYA offers a life-changing experience you'll never forget.