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.

Studying abroad with CYA was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. While I had the chance to travel across many countries in Europe, what made the program stand out was the opportunity to explore Greece in depth through academic field trips. From remote mountain villages to ancient ruins, I visited places I never would have seen on my own—and learned so much in the process.

The professors were absolutely incredible: engaging, supportive, and always willing to meet outside of class. They created a learning environment where participation was encouraged and students genuinely felt heard. I appreciated how understanding and flexible they were, especially as we balanced travel and academics.

One of the unexpected highlights was the friendships I made. I met students from universities all across the U.S., and we’ve stayed connected even after returning home.

CYA gave me a perfect mix of academic growth, cultural immersion, and travel. It was an absolute blast, and if I could do it all over again, I would choose CYA again in a heartbeat.

My semester in Athens was everything beyond expectation. There were so many chances to travel to different places -- whether you're for the exotic vibe or historical sites -- and get to know people from different backgrounds. It's an experience to see the world better, and also see oneself better. Life in Athens can be very different from the States, yet it's another kind of fun. You'll have a wonderful window view of the Acropolis under amazing sunsets at the academic center, not to mention all the chances to visit the Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and so many other famous spots once seen in books and media. Living in this ancient city feels like a dream every day, and it's also a perfect place if you want an affordable modern life. You can get countless delicacies of all kinds, and outdoor movies, games, concerts, and Greek plays are constantly going on, especially when it's warmer. Most importantly, you will meet the best friends and faculty of a lifetime and be inspired by them in the future.

I had a great time with CYA in the spring of 2025. I lived with a host family, who were my perfect match and really made my experience incredible. My classes--all five of them--were great, and the professors really knew how to make them just the right blend of challenging/time consuming and manageable with all of the traveling and extras that we were doing during the semester. I made a great group of friends in Greece, too--one that I know I will stay in contact with even though we live in many different places.