Athena Study Abroad Program on Paros Island, Greece

In the summer of 2017, I went through Athena Study Abroad to participate on a study abroad trip to Paros Island, Greece. The program took me not only to the island of Paros, but to Greece's capitol Athens and several other cycladic islands like Mykonos, Anti-Paros, and Santorini. The duration of the trip was only 3 weeks, but it was crammed with enough memories to fill a lifetime. During my trip I was studying digital imaging and photography. The scenic landscapes and exciting moments led to some amazing photos that I was able to use in my class portfolio and keep for myself. The teaching staff at HISA along with the owners of the School, Yuko and Barry, felt more like a family than instructors. They accompanied us everywhere and gave us insight into Greek culture even when we weren't in the classroom. They truly made my first study abroad experience feel like more of an adventure than I would've ever been able to anticipate. I'd have to say my fondest memory in Greece was the sunset on the island of Santorini. My entire study abroad group of 18 had all gone out for dinner together and enjoyed a rooftop dining experience while the sun was setting upon the sky blue ocean, a moment I doubt I will ever be able to beat. After returning to the States, I noticed that nothing measured up to the Greek island life I had experiences for the past 3 weeks. I am eager to return to Greece myself to experience something like the indescribable time that my study abroad experience gave me.

Being on Paros was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I go to school in Chicago, so to go to a small island village from living in this huge city was absolutely life changing. Meeting locals, watching the island change and blossom as the season changes, traveling by boat to various islands, and seeing the incredible nature of Greece was indescribable. The program and classes are small so you truly form unique bonds with everyone, and you get to know the teachers as friends and people too. The classes are fun and unique, and my painting class provided unlimited resources and support for any experimentation or projects you could ever make. The program length allows for some travel before, too, because mine started March 2 and I finished my semester in the states in december. Paros is a hidden gem and living in between the mountains and the ocean was an experience I’ll never forget, and helped me grow and develop as an artist and human. I was so sad to leave and will surely be back!!

Studying Abroad was by far the best experience of my life and I will keep telling people that. I decided I wanted to travel to Greece years ago but it was not until last year that I decided this is were I wanted to study abroad. I found Athena Study Abroad online and they helped me figure out that Greece was right for me. I wanted to travel to the islands and not be trapped on the main land in Athens, and their summer program located in Paros allowed me to do just that. In all I visited six islands and the mainland in just a short month. Along with all of the traveling and sight seeing, we had class about 3 to 4 times a week, which was very laid back and let the students learn at their own pace. I really enjoyed that aspect because I decided to take a painting class, which I had no experience in, and the teacher helped me throughout it, not rushing me. Overall I could have not asked for a better location or program. The whole way through my planning and even my trip, Athena Abroad, was right there beside me, helping.

My time in Greece was absolutely spectacular. I had the experience of a life time. Athena Abroad and HISA did an amazing job of making sure the program was the perfect balance of exploration and learning. There was never a dull day in Greece; we were always on an adventure. The classes at HISA were also great. They were very personalized and small, which created a great learning environment. Overall it was an incredible program, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Studying abroad with HISA is the best decision that I've ever made. I had the most inspiring experiences, met some of my best friends, and was able to fulfill my dream of living on a beautiful Greek island.
I always loved going to class and was never stressed about my school work because the professors care much more about inspiring us to think rather than assigning loads of homework.
I spent my weekends exploring Paros' beautiful beaches and mountains and traveling to other awe inspiring islands. Our mid-semester trip to Turkey is one that I will never forget.
I spend every day wishing I was back in Paros and I would urge anyone who is even slightly interested in the program to apply!

In Spring 2014 I studied abroad in Paros Island, Greece with Athena. Not to be cliche about it, because it's absolutely true, but it was a life changing experience for me! From start to finish, I had people both from Athena and HISA, the school abroad, helping me out. The application process was easy because the people from Athena would get in touch with me to see how I was doing and I knew they were always available if I had questions.
Paros Island was an inspirational paradise for me! Even with the course load, I had time to relax on the beach or work on projects I hadn't had the time for before. The faculty on Paros were also very helpful with whatever I needed. I didn't just gain friendships with the girls in my program, I also grew close to my professors as well. Sigrid, my literature teacher, always lit up when we had class discussions, so I knew she loved what she was doing and I loved taking her class because of it. George, my creative writing teacher, was instrumental in helping me start to write the draft of my novel. He was flexible with all of us in his class and even scheduled one on one meetings with us individually to help us with our writing.
Study abroad in general is guaranteed to be an incredible experience, and studying abroad on Paros Island, Greece is no exception because everyone involved goes above and beyond to make it the best experience for you, personally!

I would wake up around 7:00am each morning, to go for a jog on the ledges of the cliffs. The air was warm, the water baby blue and the wind blowing at the perfect speed. My classes did not start until later in the day, so I would sit on the beach until they began. I took six classes and everyone was a learning experience. I enjoyed the classes discussion with my brilliant professor and classmates.
I enjoyed all of the excision to the different Islands and the week trip to Turkey. Delos, is a place that will never be forgotten.

Athena offered an amazing greek styled experience from where we lived to where we ate. The best thing about this program is that learning is not just within the class room. The program takes you on weekend and day trips around the island and to neighboring islands. If you love the water then you have found the right place. Just a minute or two walk away from a beach with amazing beaches all around the island. We got to go on boat trips and we even went cliff diving in Santorini.