CYA - Study in Greece (Semester Program)

Studying abroad in Athens, Greece was an unforgettable experience that blended academic exploration with rich cultural immersion. Surrounded by ancient ruins and modern city life, I had the chance to walk through history every day—whether visiting the Acropolis or walking to shops with my friends. The courses deepened my understanding of Greek history, philosophy, and society, while day-to-day life gave me a real appreciation for the pace, warmth, and communal nature of Greek culture. Athens gave me not only a new perspective on the world but also lasting friendships and personal growth. My time in Athens was the best time of my life.

I studied abroad in Athens through CYA for the Fall 2025 semester, and it was an incredibly rewarding and life-changing experience! As someone with Greek heritage, I was excited to not only connect with my roots but also to fully immerse myself in the Greek language and culture. I had the opportunity to use the Greek language every day, which helped me improve my fluency and deepen my understanding of the culture. I stepped out of my comfort zone and engaged with locals through the use of the Greek language, improving my skills every day! I learned more about Greek traditions, customs, and daily life in general, all of which I brought back home with me! The friendships I made and the lessons I learned will stay with me forever, and this experience has greatly enriched my connection to both my heritage and the world around me!

My semester at CYA was a blur of new experiences and new people. From the very beginning of the program I was put outside my comfort zone in the best way possible. I was exposed to subjects I had little to no background experience in, allowing me to grow academically in a supportive setting. Visiting archeological sites around the country allowed me to gain a better understanding of the classics field and how it influences our world today.

CYA has been the highlight of my college experience, allowing me to form friendships with students across the United States with similar interests of traveling.

My semester with College Year in Athens (CYA) was nothing short of life-changing. The four months in Athens were truly the best of my life, filled with personal growth, challenges, and unforgettable experiences.

CYA pushed me out of my comfort zone from day one. Living in Athens, I had to adapt to a new culture, navigate unfamiliar streets, and embrace independence. The immersive classes—often held at iconic sites like the Acropolis—made learning dynamic and inspiring, connecting history and culture to our everyday experiences.

This journey not only deepened my academic understanding but also taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of stepping into the unknown. CYA challenged me to grow as a person, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

College Year in Athens was the highlight of my year. I learned so much, gained new found confidence in myself and my ability to live on my own, ate lots of good food, figured out how to navigate a subway system, and even hiked my way up Mount Olympus.

More career-oriented, I progressed my academics by taking both Ancient Greek and Latin while also satisfying my own personal interests by going to a new Historical or Archeological site every weekend.

Truly, my semester at CYA is one I will cherish forever.

I had such a wonderful time in Athens! The staff was great, and I loved my classes. I even got to volunteer at a donkey sanctuary, which was an amazing opportunity for me to learn more about Greek culture and learn more about the locals. No matter what you enjoy about traveling or learning, this program has everything. You can take advantage of classes that are maybe not offered at your home univeristy, try new foods that are delicious, or spend time admiring the beauty of the city. There is so much to do, and I would recommend that anyone participate in CYA if they can!

I spent my fall semester with College Year in Athens and it was an amazing four months. The program offers numerous weekly and semester-long immersion opportunities, many club and volunteer options, exciting coursework relevant to Greece and Europe, as well as a special and tight-knit community. The program's field studies allowed me to experience to much of Greece while learning about the country's history, and the program's unique opportunities helped me to truly become immersed in Athens. Not to mention, I left with the most amazing friends, both from Greece and the United States.

College Year in Athens (CYA) offers students a wide variety of immersive experiences that are appealing to all majors. From having Athens as your classroom, to being in a prime location to travel throughout Europe and the Middle East, this is one of the best study abroad programs out there. I particularly enjoyed how the program specifically encourages you to travel both throughout Europe and Greece itself. I particularly enjoyed my last two Mandatory Field Study Trips, because I was able to explore both Northern Greece and the Peloponnese with CYA facility who tailor their trip itineraries to give students a a wide variety of immersive experiences that are both educational and fun at the same time. Furthermore, all of the faculty are wonderful people who will serve as your guides to Greece throughout your time with CYA. All of the people that I interacted with, both in Athens and Greece as a whole, spoke excellent English. This allowed me to seamlessly integrate into Greek society during my time with CYA. I highly recommend this program to everyone, and had one of the best education expires of my life!