An Experience of a Lifetime

The strengths of College Year in Athens definitely included the fact that they were able to offer a variety of opportunities for all academic and non-academic interests. They also did a fantastic job with our experience outside of the classroom.
What I learned outside of the classroom was most definitely the most valuable piece I took away from studying abroad. College Year in Athens does an incredible job at making sure you learn not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom with the optional and required field trips that are offered. Outside of the classroom I was able to connect with the Greek culture by visiting coffee shops, going to the National Garden, and even going to a different part of Athens and interacting with the locals. I was luckily able to learn a little bit of the Greek language and was able to interact on a different level with the Greek population. I also volunteered most of my time at the refugee center in Athens and I was able to immerse myself in the culture and the lifestyle of a refugee. I was able to learn incredible stories about individuals who were of a variety of ages and came from different places. Outside of the classroom I was also able to learn a lot about myself, who I really am and the impact I can have on a society and those around me.
In academics, College Year in Athens shines! Especially because they have some of the greatest professors in the social science realm of studies. Not a heavy course load but one always needs to make sure they do the work and pay attention, like any class.
The living arrangements were not the best but they also weren’t the worst. One has the option to live with a host family or live in an apartment with other individuals. Everything you need is in the apartment and if it isn't there you can request something. Also, the staff was extremely nice and responded quickly if there were any issues that had arisen within our apartment.
I cannot say better things about the director and the program staff, they are absolutely incredible. During my time in Athens, they were extremely helpful, attentive, and focused on each student’s own needs in order to succeed. I enjoyed working with Nadia, she was helpful in assisting me in attaining my internship with the refugee center.
I absolutely enjoyed my internship at Caritas Hellas, the refugee center located in Athens. I was able to connect with all types of individuals on an extremely personal level. I was in a different country surrounded by people from various different backgrounds and beliefs, yet for some reason I felt a connection with each and every one of them. I am so thankful I was able to assist the little time that I was at the refugee center. I will never forget my time there, the people I interacted with, and the way I felt when I was there. This internship was unique because I actually felt that I was making a difference, even though it was small. I worked a lot in the women’s clothing center and I was lucky to meet so many women that came from so many different places. I would assist them in choosing clothes that they needed for themselves and for their children, they had a total of 10 minutes to do so and some of them had at least 5 children, it was complicated but when we were able to find a coat for them or clothes that was the perfect fit they would break down in tears and give us all hugs. They were so thankful for something as simple as a coat, that was when it hit me and realized I had taken many things for granted. Working at the refugee center changed and further developed my perspective of myself and the world around me. Reflecting back on my experience, I would do it again in a heartbeat.