College Year in Athens enabled me to make a dream come true while still working towards my bachelor’s degree. It is great to sit in a classroom and learn a new subject, but the whole experience is elevated when you’re living in a place that birthed the content you’re learning about! I took Modern Greek and got to practice it as soon as I left the classroom by walking the streets of Athens, buying groceries and taking public transportation. Greek Philosophy became so much more to me as my class walked in the Park where Plato himself taught his students. I had the privilege of learning about Greek Mythology and then climbed up Mount Olympus, where the Greek gods themselves resided as declared in the myths. As a believer in Christ, I was greatly touched by visiting Areopagus Hill where the Apostle Paul preached to many people about Christ. I even spent an afternoon studying on that hill, reading Nicomachean Ethics with the Parthenon as my backdrop.

Additionally, we took field trips to a variety of places in Greece including Sparta, the Peloponnese, the island of Crete, and Andros Island where we learned more deeply about the culture and history. Not only were the field trips very educational, they were so fun and in some of the most beautiful parts of the world that it felt like vacation! The beaches, mountains, flowers, and art were all breath-taking, as was the food! I quickly fell in love with Tzatziki and feta and still crave it to this day. I also had the opportunity to stand in the original Olympic stadium and run a portion of the very first marathon course! Needless to say, my mind was broadened, my cultural competency was expanded and my desire to travel and learn increased. I’m so thankful for the semester I spent learning in Greece as it has greatly changed me. I fondly reflect on my experience almost daily and cannot wait to return.

I fell in love! With Greece that is! I learned so much not only about my field but also about myself! I am kind of lost in the pack back at my home university and always underestimated. At CYA my professors wouldn't just expect things but would stop and help you when you need it, one even guided me through fixing a paper I had trouble writing. I grew close with one of the professors who just wrote me a letter of recommendation for the Masters program at the British School of Athens, and hopefully work alongside him next year in excavations. He believed in me sometimes more then I did and helped me to understand not to underestimate myself.
But that isn't all, I was lucky enough to have a host family rather then live in the apartments and found a second family! I learned Modern Greek with their help and talk to my host mom at least twice a week still. She keeps asking when I am coming home.(LOL) I found another home in Greece at CYA and I miss it all the time!

Living in Athens, Greece through the CYA Spring semester program was an absolute dream. I am a first-generation college student and the first time I went abroad was through school. I was very nervous traveling abroad being a black woman. I went abroad the same month that Trump was elected so I was very nervous about how people would see me as not only American, but also because of the color of my skin. I spoke to my counselors of my study abroad about my concerns and they were very open and honest with me. They were very candid about the way Greeks view foreigners and made me feel very comfortable. They also constantly checked in with me to see how I was adjusting to the culture and acclimating to life in Athens. To sum it all up: I had an AMAZING time in Greece! My program took us to explore Thessaloniki, the Peloponnese and Delphi to further expand on the academics we learned in Greece and never did I feel out of place or like an “other.” A lot of people speak of their time traveling abroad and academics during these reviews, but I’m here to say if you’re a person of color that may be nervous about study abroad like I was, PLEASE DO IT! Especially through CYA! Faculty and staff will make sure you’re comfortable and create a safe space for you to speak with them honestly about your experiences as a minority abroad. Safe travels and yamas!

The academic richness of this program blew me away. Not only did we have daily art history and archeology classes in and on the ancient sites of Athens, we took two weeks to tour Greece with leading archeologists to see and understand close up the ancient life of Greece. But the modern city was just as illuminating. I took marble carving classes and learned Greek Sign Language, made friends with other Athenians, and came to feel Pangrati (our neighborhood of Athens) was my Home. I’ve returned nearly every year to this country and city, and love visiting the CYA offices. As my academic interests have evolved, I’ve formed new relationships with faculty and continued pursuing research in Greece. And five years later, my best friend is someone I was matched as roommates with for the semester. CYA was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Go for it!

I had a great time with CYA! The classes were the perfect mix of educational trips and fun adventures exploring the city or island. Our professor was super chill and gave us great tips on where to go and what to eat. The smaller class size made it easy to become super close to the people I was with. Even though the class was only a month long, it felt like I got a lifetime of memories from it. Overall I was super happy with my experience and if I could do it all over again I would in a heartbeat!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Greece. CYA is not a rigorous program and it took me a while to adjust to the fact that learning can occur in a non-stressful environment. I have learnt here in an unprecedented way. Each of the classes are related to Greece in some way (ancient architecture, economics, history, philosophy, language etc.). It is definitely not as rigorous as it would be at my home institution, but many of my classes occur off-site. We routinely visit museums or archaeological sites. I feel like I learn much better when I can experience the subject of our study. Further, the relaxed academics allow me to take advantage of the culture. I have tried to make my stay here as immersive as possible -- I watch Greek films, have Greek friends, eat and cook Greek food. So for these reasons, I'm thankful that CYA has given me the space to develop myself both academically and personally.

My semester with CYA has been truly amazing. Living in a such a historical city as Athens, I had unique opportunities to have onsite lectures, such as at the Acropolis, or National Archeological Museum. I have been able to see in person, so much of what I had only previously learned in textbooks. And my professors have had so much personal experience, such as being involved in excavations, that they are then able to bring an incredible amount of knowledge into the classroom. CYA also organized great trips throughout the semester, that took us to Olympia, Sparta, Thessaloniki, and so many other amazing places. I have been able to see so much more of Greece then I ever thought I would, and am truly going to miss the culture and the welcoming people, that make this beautiful country feel like home.

My study abroad experience with CYA was nothing short of fantastic. It was an experience I will cherish for a very long time. Even when you disregard the historical significant, amazing weather, food and people (which are very hard to disregard) CYA has everything a study abroad experience should be. Located in one of Athens best neighborhoods and located literally right next to one of the cities biggest attractions the location, academic curriculum and endless historical significance Athens possesses differentiates this study abroad experience from others. The administration, faculty, kitchen staff and professors not only go over the top to accommodate your needs, but also are willing to bend backwards to help assimilate you into their city in any way possible. My study abroad professors have been some of the most knowledgeable individuals I've encountered from an academia perspective. Most of who have studies across Europe and or the United States at some point in in their professional careers. CYA does a wonderful job incorporating mandated school "field trips" traveling to other parts of Greece, in an educational but fun way. CYA is continuously sending students email updates regarding volunteer opportunities, local hikes, sporting events, cooking classes to not only help students get the full Athenian experience, but to make your duration of stay in a foreign major city, much smoother. CYA was one of the best decisions I have made in my college career, hands down. Bottom line, CYA does study abroad the right way.