CYA - Study in Greece (Semester Program)

I first arrived to Athens with the intention of getting to know all of its ancient monuments. For students of history, classics, and archaeology, I think this is the primary aspect that makes CYA attractive. For sure, the ancient monuments and ruins that dot much of Athens makes for a picturesque and out-of-body experience. However, Athens much more than its ruins, its a city that is teeming with energy at all hours of the days, from museum events, rebetiko music in tavernas, and general nightlife, there is something for everyone at any time. Greeks also tend to be very welcoming of foreign students, people of all backgrounds who come to really immerse themselves this unique culture will be welcomed with an incredible hospitality. CYA is very cognizant of this, and they've prepared a study abroad experience that encourages this kind of exploration; anthropology courses which empowers their students to inquire into the city's vibrant culture, and archaeology courses which take place at the sites they explore. This is conducive for a kind of experiential learning that is unmatched by traditional forms of teaching. The lecturers at CYA are respective experts in their field, which makes classroom discussions in these experiential settings often feel like you're being taken on a tour of the city through time, rather than a static lecture. Beyond Athens, CYA incorporates field study in other parts of Greece, which allowed me to really grasp the cultural and geographic diversity that makes Greece the most beautiful country I've ever seen. tl;dr although the academic component was amazing, and at the heart of the study abroad experience, I feel like I learned more about life in my time here than I could have at a traditional institution.

I had a great time with CYA Athens! Met a lot of people from all over the world and even learned a little bit of Greek. I felt immersed in the culture as I got my daily coffee or saw my favorite waiter for dinner. The professors made you feel welcome and all the staff was willing to help and take the extra mile to help you. A truly great program. We got to travel all over Greece so I feel like I know everything about all of Greece not just Athens. I loved learning about Greek history and mythology and literally standing where famous people have in the past. Incredible

As a half-greek American with familial roots in Greece, this was my first time visiting the country and I was not disappointed. Greece is the most beautiful place I have ever visited with fresh food, rich culture, and beautiful mountains and beaches. While CYA prepares you to adapt to Greek culture and life, they also give you a fair amount of independence to explore on your own. With classes only Monday through Thursday, you are given three day weekends to roam around Athens or travel elsewhere. You also live in apartments among Greek locals which truly gives you an authentic Greek experience. These apartments are in an ideal location, only about a 15 minute walk from the Acropolis and great restaurants. In terms of the academic side of things, the courses were a bit of a lighter load than my home college and were much more hands-on. A lot of my classes took trips to museums or did field study in surrounding neighborhoods. We also went on three field study trips: one to Delphi, one to Southern Greece, and one to Northern Greece. These trips were by far my favorite experience because I got to learn more about Greece's history while getting to see different villages and cities all around the country. Overall, I could talk about my experience in Athens for hours (which makes writing a short review difficult!) Studying abroad through CYA taught me how to be more independent, mature, confident, and to take authority when needed. As a first-generation student, this was my first time traveling out of the country and I feel much more comfortable and assured after traveling to Greece through CYA. Leaving this program, I have lasting connections with professors, faculty, and even locals from my time spent in Athens.

Absolutely loved my experience through CYA. My program had 120 students total, so it made adjusting to a new country and customs that much easier. Lunch is served 5 days a week too which was really handy. Overall, the food, the people, and the city's rich culture provided an unforgettable experience for me. I found some of my lifelong friends while studying abroad through CYA, and during our time together we were able to travel all over Greece and Europe. Highly recommend studying abroad through CYA's program.

Studying abroad with CYA was the perfect decision. I was able to explore so many places in Athens and Greece, both in an academic context and for fun. All of my classes were very interesting, especially as a Classics major, but there are a wide variety of courses offered. I loved living in the neighbourhood of Pangrati and it was so easy to get other places in Athens. I made some really good friends, especially my roommates. The country is very affordable, I loved the food and I will miss it a lot!

Studying abroad through CYA was the best decision I ever made. I was able to meet so many people, whom I will be friends with for the rest of my life, and fall in love with a country and culture I knew nothing about aside from mythology and literature!

My professors were amazing and all of the staff I interacted with were super nice and helpful, and I couldn't recommend this program enough. The location is right in central Athens so there's plenty for you to do and ease of access to travel outside of the city--on your own or on the organized trips!

If you love to try new things or travel, Athens is the city to be in. I wish I didn't have to leave!

Studying with CYA impacted me in countless ways. I learned so much about the history and culture of Greece and the country quickly began to feel like home to me. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel safe and comfortable while also challenging us to learn new things and experience all Athens has to offer. In general, Greece is the most beautiful country I have ever seen and I think everyone needs to visit at least once. I cannot recommend College Year in Athens enough to anyone looking for a fun semester abroad.

I loved Athens! The study abroad program allowed me to meet some of the best people I now know and have given me some of the best memories. I loved the classes and being able to go to different sites for class. It was such a unique experience to be able to visit the historical sites that we talked about for the semester. It was amazing to be there in person and be able to tell people I visited the site, multiple times even! Being able to connect with the professors differently than I do in the US was refreshing. The professors at CYA were a lot of fun and engaging. They really cared about your academics while also making the classes fun and different compared to classes back home. The food in Greece is amazing as well, even if it just a gyro or souvlaki from across the street. I miss the food and the people I met. The night life was also a lot of fun and gave me a lot of things to do around the city.