CYA - Study in Greece (Summer Program)

Studying abroad as part of the CYA Summer program was the most incredible experience I could have asked for. I have never been to Europe before and this course provided me with such enriching information about history and gave me the unmatched opportunity to explore museums and monuments. I felt very guided and aware of how things worked abroad as far as navigating cities, policies, and systems. If I had traveled on my own without the structure of this course, I would not have seen as much as I did because I never would have been able to find out how much was right near where we were living without the expertise of my professor and the CYA staff. The Pangrati neighborhood was easy to navigate and felt like home after just a few days. Language barriers were never an issue and I got to make so many friends within my class.

I am so glad I got the opportunity to study abroad with CYA this past summer. My course was Tasting Culture: Mediterranean and Nordic Cuisine. We learned all about food, the culture that surrounds it, the discourses associated with different foods, and about ethnographic versus Instagrammable pictures. By living in Athens, you are surrounded by such a rich history in the Greek architecture of the Acropolis and the best Mediterranean food you could imagine. We also took a four-day trip to Ikaria, but I could have stayed there for an entire month. It was beautiful and so enriching to see a less-traveled island and how that culture compares to the mainland. I would not trade my study abroad experience for the world and I constantly find myself going back and looking at old pictures for some instant serotonin.

My time in Athens through CYA was an experience of a lifetime. I delved deeper into my passions, explored islands, and made memories I will never forget! The admins were very understanding when my flight was delayed and even accommodated for my late arrival. One of the best aspects of CYA is the cultural connection students experience from living in apartments in Pangrati! While living an apartment building that also hosts local residents, I was able to become friends with surrounding neighbors, learn about local spots, and feel more connected to the local scene.

12/10 experience! I had the chance to learn about religious history right where it all happened. We visited sites like the Parthenon and the monasteries in Meteora which were unforgettable. I also enjoyed the stunning scenery and delicious Greek food. The program perfectly blended learning with exploring Greek culture. If you're interested in history/religion and want an incredible adventure, I highly recommend taking the Geography of Faith Course with Professor Afzal. CYA also offers lots of other classes in lots of different subjects ranging from biology to archeology.

During my time abroad, I was able to branch out and step out of my comfort zone by meeting many people I had not known prior to my experience abroad! Having to live on my own away from my family helped me to become more independent and broaden my understanding of different cultures around the world. Being able to fully adapt to the new location I was living in was such a great experience. I am so grateful that I was able to try new foods, see many famous historical sites, and take a course that would not have been offered at my home university!

I studied abroad with CYA this past summer, and I have no bad things to say about it. I took the Contemporary Art around the Greek Islands, a travel intensive course. The course material and travel itineraries were always very well prepared and scheduled. We were always given breakfast even when we were not at the main academic suite (usually when we were on one of the islands). We were given plenty of time to explore the cities on our own but still have opportunities to learn and practice course content.

My professor knew the material very well, was kind, and I could tell that she was a great representation of all CYA professors. They understood exactly how to motivate and support us.

The experience was immersive and I cannot wait to go back to Greece!

As a college athlete studying abroad for a semester is nearly impossible. CYA gave me the opportunity to study abroad for a month in the summer, and I will forever be grateful for this experience. You get to live like a local while studying abroad in Athens. You live in an apartment in Pangrati and are immersed in the culture. With the summer programs, you also get to island hop which makes your experience even better. You get to explore different parts of Greece each week. This made the experience one of a kind because every course explores different islands so it is fun to compare with everyone else and explain your own individual experiences with the program!

I took Maria Vidali's, Greek Island Architecture, Culture and Identity course in Summer 2022. It was truly the experience of a lifetime and left me with a depth of knowledge of Greek culture, lifelong friends, and memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. Over the span of four weeks, we traveled to four islands in the Aegean Sea, all with unique landscapes, people, food, and architecture. We conducted design labs on each island to better understand specific qualities of the built and natural environments. Outside of class time, I made some of my best friends that I still keep in touch with to this day. My class had around 16 students and we all became a family by the end of the trip. I can't say enough good things about my time abroad in Greece and I recommend CYA's programs to everyone I talk to!