CYA - Study in Greece (Semester Program)

I approached the study abroad decision process with an open mind, but I did not already have the "perfect place for me" in mind. I chose Greece because I was enticed by the prospects of beautiful landscapes and rich history. Athens will certainly provide these qualities, but studying in Greece provides so much beyond that. CYA introduced us to places around the country I would have never thought to visit like quaint mountain villages to the north or history-filled coastal cities in the Peloponnese. The professors are absolutely amazing, extremely knowledgeable, and structured the classes to allow us to combine what were learning outside the classroom with the course content. The CYA apartments are all located close to great coffee shops, restaurants, the center of Athens, and a 25 min walk to the Acropolis. Greece and CYA provide all the tools to make your study abroad experience truly life-changing.

I went abroad to Athens with CYA this past fall (2021) and it was truly the most wonderful experience of my life. I am a sociology major and although archaeology and classics are their specialties, I was able to engage in sociological research and take classes with two very qualified sociology professors. I am also interested in going into law and the program was able to match me up with a firm to do an English speaking internship this coming summer. The apartments were great, clean, and close to CYA and the field studies were incredible opportunities. My favorite field study was to Meteora, which is a group of monasteries that perch on rocks at cloud level. The views are otherworldly. For such a small country, Greece has so much to offer from Mountains with snowy peaks, to deserts and beautiful seascapes. Whether you choose to stay in Greece and explore the cyclades islands or to travel outside the country at some point, you will never run out of new and exciting experiences. Athens is a friendly city full of life with many free activities such as ice skating or a burger festival. The friendships you make here will be lifelong ones and the memories you make you will cherish forever. My only piece of advice is to be careful about not falling too deeply in love with Athens because you may never want to come back!

Everything about my time at CYA was a complete dream. Going abroad was a nerve-racking experience, but CYA made it feel exciting and fulfilling from the get-go. The courses were fascinating and each one I took benefited directly from being in Athens, incorporating the museums and sites of the city into the course material. More than that, though, CYA helped me to have an unforgettable cultural experience in Greece. I was able to meet and speak to Athenian residents and learn about Greek culture from the inside. I felt truly immersed in Greek life, especially since the accommodations are right in the city. Even though I was there during the Pandemic, I wouldn't trade my experience for the world, and it was a time full of amazing people, sights, and stories. I can truly say that I got to experience Greece and that I am just as in love with it as I hoped.

Spending my Fall semester in Athens with College Year in Athens was the best decision for me. Even though I studied abroad during a pandemic, I was still able to travel all around mainland Greece and some islands. Living in Athens was an unbeatable experience. The housing was fantastic; my three roommates and I shared a spacious and clean apartment that was located in a young and fun neighborhood. We were within walking distance of the College Year in Athens academic buildings, good restaurants, bars, stores, and pharmacies. My classes were not only interesting but also gave me the opportunity to visit famous museums that housed art and archaeological finds from around the Mediterranean. Field study trips combined learning and traveling throughout Greece and we were able to explore Delphi, Crete, and the Peloponnese. Additionally, the faculty, staff, and fellow students were always excited to help, teach, and learn from one another. Overall, the program was a great mix of fun and education that let me explore a country I have always wanted to live in.

I came to CYA as a freshman. I had never even been to college, and I was sad to leave my family, and I was nervous to see what my time in Greece would hold. I was praying that the four months I would spend in Greece would fly by. Now I wish they had never ended. CYA and Greece are places that I will forever call home. The people I met, the experiences I had, the food that I ate, and the love that I shared will forever leave an imprint on my heart. Thank you, CYA staff and administration, for giving me the chance to live life in a new and exciting way.

As a Junior, choosing to go abroad through CYA during a pandemic was the best choice I could have made. Instead of sitting in zoom classes on campus, I was able to safely explore Greece and reignite my passion for my major through this program. The classes got me directly on-site to learn about all of the famous ancient locations located throughout Greece firsthand. Not only did I get to walk through Delphi, Olympia, and Athens itself learning about the discoveries made at these historically important places, but I also had the opportunity to independently travel throughout the semester to islands like Mykonos and Paros purely to enjoy the culture and scenery. The program allowed me the freedom to explore Greece and Europe on my own, but they also offered information and support whenever I needed. Absolutely go abroad through CYA if you get the chance because I would not trade the experiences I had here for the world!

CYA was super fun! It provided a great program that allowed me to immerse myself in being both a student and an individual living abroad in a foreign country. Classes are interesting and engaging with many professors that enjoyed teaching. Professors were also a great source of advice on things to eat and places to explore. CYA Administration stayed communicative and on top of updating students about their safety and health. I would definitely recommend CYA for those who are open to explore, try new things, take risks and engage with a culture that wants to engage with you!

I had an amazing experience with CYA. I was given immense opportunities to travel (on a budget!) and learned a great deal about Greek culture. You are immersed into the day to day activities of the Greeks since you're living in a neighborhood with the locals. CYA administration was very helpful in getting you in contact with any person/activity you would like to get involved with. The workload is not overwhelming which leaves much time to explore Greece as well as the surrounding countries. I would highly recommend this program to anyone desiring to have a free-spirited study abroad experience.