I absolutely loved my semester in Athens. It was also one of the most stressful experiences of my life, with three upper level language courses and one heavy research course. I cannot recommend taking upper level language courses to anyone thinking about applying to graduate programs in the same semester. Being able to study Ancient Greece while in the shadow of the Akropolis is an experience unlike any other, and I highly recommend taking classes with Professors Kritsotakis or Pitt. They are some of the most caring and funny people, let alone professors, I have ever met.

This semester with College Year in Athens was something I’ll always be grateful for. Greece slowly became home in ways I never expected. It was the people I met, the routines I fell into, and the little everyday moments that made it feel real. I learned how to be more independent, which is something I can thank this program for a million times over for. CYA made it possible for me to truly live in Athens, not just study there, and I’m leaving with memories and friendships I’ll carry with me forever.

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone considering it. Greece is a wonderful country, with a variety of places to travel whether you like the beach or the mountains. The opportunity to learn Greek added a deeper connection to the community. People are extremely friendly in the neighborhood, and there are so many interesting places to explore.

The field study trips are what really make CYA stand out. An organized trip exploring iconic places in Greece as well as abroad is what should sell anyone on this program.

On top of that I made lifelong friendships along the way!

I am so glad I did CYA. Initially, I was going to go to Spain through a different program, but I decided soon after that I would much rather go to Greece because of the archaeology course offerings (especially at Demokritos, the science lab they have a partnership with) and because of my Greek heritage. I had a wonderful time and I wish I could have stayed the whole year! I found friends that will last me forever, grew in my independence, and rediscovered my love for living abroad. As a trans person, I actually felt even safer than in the US, and almost my whole group of friends ended up being queer in some way :)

I had a great study abroad experience through CYA. The program offers a great mix of academics, cultural immersion, social events, and incorporated travel into the semester. One of the main highlights from my time in Greece is the CYA Field Studies. These field studies are trips across Greece and abroad, in which transportation and housing are covered by CYA, and are centered around different academic topics. A couple of the trips that I got to go on included journeys to Olympia and Delphi, the island of Crete, the Peloponnese, and Naples, Italy. These trips guided by CYA professor provided me a greater understanding of Greek culture and history, while also providing a great opportunity to connect with fellow classmates and form new friendships. Additionally, the location of CYA academic buildings and student apartments are in a great neighborhood. With all housing between 3-10 minutes away from classroom buildings, the area is very safe and easy to walk around. Furthermore, the academic building is directly adjacent to the Olympic Stadium! Overall my experience CYA was beyond what I could have imagined and would recommend this program to anyone interested in immersing oneself in a new culture and explore the beauty and history of Greece.

My experience at CYA was nothing short of life-changing. For someone who is obsessed with classics and archaeology, I cannot recommend a better program. This program is so incredibly immersive with the best professors in Greece; you will find yourself attending lectures in the most incredible ancient sites. I was lucky enough to have professors who encouraged on-site classes, which allowed me to immerse myself in the ancient world while also having the privilege of living in Athens. I cannot recommend this program enough for anyone who is remotely interested in Classics.

I had such an amazing time while in Greece at College Year in Athens! I had the opportunity to travel to so many parts of both Greece and the EU as a whole, participate in a global health internship, and meet so many new people from different American universities! I genuinely fell in love with living in Athens and Greece as a whole! I also had the opportunity to learn subjects that I would have never learned at my home institution, such as archaeology! I made life-long friendships at CYA as well with people that I still keep in touch with after the end of the program! I am so happy that I made the leap to study abroad and that I chose CYA!

The CYA program could not have been any better! I had the time of my life in Greece and would recommend this program to EVERYONE. CYA allowed me to fall in love with Greece by immersing me in the culture with its classes, trips, and activities. The entire program helped me settle into the new country as a student who has never traveled internationally before, which I am extremely grateful for. The professors and staff are AMAZING and so incredibly intelligient and helpful. ATHENS WAS BEAUTIFUL! I could not have imagined having my study abroad program anywhere else.