CYA - Study in Greece (Semester Program)

I had an incredible experience studying abroad through CYA. I am so glad that I chose this program. Coming from a big university, I really appreciated the small classes and community of CYA, as I felt very comfortable meeting my peers and getting to know my instructors in an entirely new place. The facilitation and instruction itself was also very helpful in my settling into Athens. The course offerings were ones I would not have been able to take at my home institution, which I am grateful for.

CYA was life changing experience. I loved every aspect of the program, city, and time I spent in CYA. The professors and staff were always kind and helpful. I even was invited to eat dinner at my professors house. They made me feel at home and comfortable. I made life long friends in which we shared incredible memories of traveling around Greece and trying now things! The food, city, and Greek people were amazing. I cannot wait to go back to Greece and visit CYA. I recommend this program to everyone. I wish I would of done a year instead of a semester.

CYA is such an amazing program!
Academics: All my classes were super interesting. The professors were all so supportive of the students both academically and personally. Many classes take frequent field trips which is a great way to explore Athens.
Fun/culture: Pangrati is a wonderful neighborhood/great location for CYA. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, etc in the area. The rest of Athens is easily accessible by metro or taxi, which are both very affordable. Athens is a lively city with great nightlife.
Safety: I always felt very safe in Pangrati, much more so than I do in the states.

To those who want a rigorous academic experience as an undergraduate, this program is not very fitting. On the other hand, if you want to build a personal connection with Athens, this program is good because it's not exclusive. Courses cover a broad range, from classical languages to economy and human rights. There are more chances to meet people and build networks if you have that intention. It's also fitting for people who want to fulfill their general education/ distribution requirements, especially in the humanities, in a less stressful environment.

I personally encountered a great opportunity. One of my professors was an editor for an academic website. She offered to post the essay I wrote for her class on that website. I think this can never happen back in the US. Another special experience for me is taking Topography of Athens, a course exclusively held on-site. We climbed up to the Acropolis more than 5 times. The big archaeological sites were our classrooms, and as familiar as our own homes.

As a Classics major, I also enjoyed being around people who are in the same major. I've never met so many people in classics before. We received a distinguished scholar to give a talk on Sparta during the semester. We had two workshops outside regular coursework, one on the historian Thucydides, and the other on Latin Paleography. We had a PhD candidate from the American School of Classical Studies at Athens come and give a talk on Roman Greece, a topic not so popular but very intriguing for those who are interested in cultural exchanges and identities within an empire, plus a crash course on modern Greek national rhetoric.

This will be an experience I will cherish forever. I was able to explore a new country, be embedded in a rich culture, foster lifelong relationships, and learn more about myself along the way. The courses and professors were exceptional. The organization and administration of the program were efficient, timely, and effective. I felt safe, loved, and supported throughout my time in Greece. I traveled and have grown so much personally, academically, and professionally. If I could do it all again, I would!

I had a wonderful time studying abroad through CYA due to the student support services, travel experiences, cultural excursions, and internship opportunities that were provided. Having the chance to travel to both Crete and the Peloponnese region in the country of my heritage was a once in a life time opportunity, and I am so grateful that these experiences were included in the program costs, as they would have been an undertaking to plan on my own. Additionally, the provision of daily lunches during the week was greatly appreciated. While we did not have the opportunity to immerse ourselves with local Greek students, I did feel that my classes offered field trips that gave us a greater sense of the local culture - especially my Sustainable Social Housing Course with Dr. Evgenia Tousi, where we took weekly field visits to social housing neighborhoods around Athens. These field visits were both informative and eye-opening and allowed for the course to be very engaging as a study abroad student. Additionally, I was able to take part in an internship at a local environmental non-profit through CYA and feel like I have gained so much both academically and professionally throughout my experience. For a student hoping to meet more international students or fully immerse themselves in an international language and culture in an unsupported environment, this may not be the ideal program for them. I would instead recommend this program for a student that does not have much travel experience and desires more support from the program they take part in, as the caring faculty as well as the presence of American peers make the adjustment to a foreign country with an unfamiliar language much smoother. Overall, I learned a variety of skills while studying abroad, including time management, budgeting, the importance of self-care, and cultural interaction. As I had little travel experience outside of the US going into my semester abroad, I felt that this program was very worthwhile, as it provided me with the support and resources to live own my own in a foreign country, in addition to planning trips around Greece and other parts of Europe. Coming off of my semester at CYA, I felt empowered to travel on my own without fear, and I appreciate all of the knowledge I was able to gain while in a supportive and encouraging environment.

All of the professors and the rest of the staff did an amazing job of making sure that all the students were happy, safe, and learning. The professors were very approachable both in and out of class and did their best to make the material engaging whether it be through assigning project or group discussions or by hosting the class outside or doing a field trip to an archaeological site. Nikki did a great job of organizing social activities in the evenings, many of which included going out into another neighborhood in Athens to get more acquainted with elements of Greek culture.

During my time in Greece, I felt incredibly safe while exploring ancient ruins, relaxing on Mykonos' beaches, and enjoying delicious Greek cuisine. The College Year in Athens (CYA) optional trips added excitement, and weekday lunches offered authentic dishes like salads, souvlaki, and tzatziki. Sharing these meals with fellow student travelers enhanced the sense of community and cultural immersion. The warmth and hospitality of the Greek people, along with engaging in local customs and festivals, made my journey unforgettable and deeply enriching. The generosity and friendliness of the Greek people were evident in every interaction, making me feel like a welcomed guest in their beautiful land.