If you're thinking about going abroad with CYA, do it. It's one of the best decisions I have made for my academic career. I met people from all over the country and had the opportunity to explore a new place and, in doing so, learn more about myself! There is a class for everyone at CYA. Whether you enjoy the humanities, like me, or you're pre-med, like some of my roommates, there is something for you to learn. You'll make connections that last for life. Going abroad can be scary, and it's not for everyone. But if you're like me, and you enjoy immersive learning, then this is the program for you.

As my first time out of the country, I would say that I wouldn’t change it for the world! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and I learned so much from my program. I helped excavate this archaeological site in a local town with professionals. Everyone was so understanding and great teachers. I made a real family in Greece and my knowledge expanded greatly! This program helped solidify my decision on graduate school. Overall, CYA made me grow personally and professionally and I cannot wait to visit Greece again

I studied abroad with CYA for Summer Session I of 2025. I had never been out of the country before, let alone by myself. I was on the fence when deciding if I really wanted to take the jump and go, and I'm so glad that I did. Everyone on the CYA faculty and staff was very supportive and made the transition process of living abroad as smooth as possible. My class, taught by professor Eve Geroulis, was the best one I could have possibly chosen. All members of our class became incredibly close and we did everything together. We took various field trips throughout the month to different cities/islands, and did ethnographic research to really be immersed in Greek culture. I was nervous in the beginning to be so far from home for a month, but by the end I never wanted to leave!

Both of my courses were extremely fun and self directed. Make fast friends and stick with them! Try to meet locals as much as possible! My classes had vastly different workloads and class schedules, so I would really recommend looking over the itinerary before you go. I’d also recommend finding experiences or things you’d like to do in each place. I didn’t do that, and I found things easily, but I might have liked having a stronger plan for myself. Meet as many locals as possible and really put yourself out there. This experience is for learning about yourself and about Greece.

I participated in the EMPOWERED: Mental Health and Inclusion for Modern Learners summer program in Volos, Greece. This program was absolutely amazing. The course was four weeks long, and we stayed in rental apartments, which were very nice and had waterfront views. The course took place at the University of Thesally. The professors were very involved and tried to ensure that we had all the resources and information we needed to make the most of our time in Volos. We were able to take several trips as a class, ensuring we got to as much of Greece as possible. I also feel as though I learned a lot. It was very interesting seeing the comparisons of different mental health initiatives across the globe. This course really allowed me to explore a new country, meet new people, and challenge myself to explore my identity. I recommend this course to anyone interested in pushing themselves to get out of their comfort zones and study in a foreign country.

I studied in Greece for 6 weeks in the summer of 2025. I took the course called The Strangeness of Ancient Greece with Professor Pitt. This course, along with the Professor, was some of the most intellectually stimulating and culturally significant class I’ve taken. The Professor did an amazing job teaching the class and keeping everyone engaged. Every class we had was on an archeological site where we would get an in depth tour of the area and told the historical significance. Although we only had 4 free days, we were given plenty of free time to explore and get to know our classmates and the city of Athens, or wherever our class had taken us for the day. I met so many new friends from all over the United States and we all got incredibly close during the program. I’m still in contact with some of them today! I couldn’t recommend this program more!

I recommend participating in an Archaeological Excavation in Greece if you study any discipline in the Humanities. This experience led to a deeper understanding of the lifestyles of the ancient peoples, and allowed me to make connections to other historical periods. Lastly, excavation projects also build character and allow you to improve your teamwork skills in so many different ways! Because of this, I now know that I want to study archaeology more deeply, and incorporate it in every aspect of my academic career.

Studying with College Year in Athens was a beautiful opportunity. We were fully immersed in the culture as we stayed in apartments that were close to our class. The environment was always safe and welcoming. The staff was incredibly helpful and patient throughout all situations. Our professor was especially amazing. She had flexibility with her teaching. Whether that be pushing back class an hour so we could rest more or because we had a different interest in the topic, she was willing to make it work. She was the definition of a passionate professor. She was our first introduction to Greece and had briefed the class on places to visit. Additionally, I was able to expand my network by meeting other university students from across the United States. These connections helped me in establishing my post-graduate plans as I started to consider my peers' universities and their programs. I have grown in my education, and I'm excited to be bringing all my knowledge to my home university.