CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program

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CYA has offered study abroad programs in a wide range of academic disciplines for over 60 years. With supplemental activities varying from archaeological digs to onsite courses, study-travel, and volunteer opportunities, students are able to activ... read more

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OVERALL RATING 4.7
Based on 131 Reviews
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September 23, 2025 Best Summer Ever!
I would absolutely recommend doing this program for both the cultural and academic aspects. I learned a lot about myself and how I travel, and I also learned about other people, cultures, and traditions. - Ohio University View Entire Review
August 23, 2025 Best Summer Ever
I learned the importance of fully immersing myself in the environment and trying to make the most of it. I met amazing people and got to have a lot of unique experiences. This experience was so amazing. - University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill View Entire Review
August 08, 2025 Grateful For Greece
It was absolutely worthwhile, I learned how to live and travel independently. As well as navigating places that i did not speak the language. Overall an amazing experience. - Wellesley College View Entire Review
July 28, 2025 Abroad In Athens
I learned and gained so much from being abroad from independence to becoming confident. It was my first time abroad and in Europe so I had so much to learn from gaining new outlooks culturally to being in a country I didn't know the primary language. It was an experience I had adapted to and learned so much from! - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I gained vital experience about living on my own in a city where I previously didn't know a soul. I learned about the Greek culture and was able to participate as a visitor, and it was incredibly worthwhile. - Wellesley College View Entire Review
A student studying abroad with CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Studying abroad with CYA was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. While I had the chance to travel across many countries in Europe, what made the program stand out was the opportunity to explore Greece in depth through academic field trips. From remote mountain villages to ancient ruins, I visited pl... - Oberlin College View Entire Review
June 16, 2025 Lifetime Memories
I learned a lot about various cultures and their histories, and I made friends with people from different backgrounds -- the knowledge and friendships have become a part of me, who is more mature and positive about the future after spending just one semester in Athens. - Washington University in St. Louis View Entire Review
I learned a lot about daily life in a different country; exactly the type of learning that can’t happen from just being a tourist. - St. Olaf College View Entire Review
I was able to immerse myself in the culture and learn so much during my program at CYA. There is so much history in the city of Athens and all over Greece. - Fairfield University View Entire Review
From an academic standpoint, I gained more knowledge about the field of classics and how it influences our world today. From a personal standpoint, I gained invaluable experiences and made life-long friendships. - Kalamazoo College View Entire Review
January 22, 2025 My Semester Abroad
I learned a lot about what it is like to live almost completely without my usual support system. It was difficult at first, but the experience has given me new-found confidence in myself and my ability to adapt to new environments - Furman University View Entire Review
January 19, 2025 An Amazing Opportunity!
I learned a lot about not only Greek culture, but also myself. Being able to live in a whole different country for four months teaches you a lot about who you are and what you are able to do. - Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) View Entire Review
January 12, 2025 Lots Of Traveling
I learned about greek culture and the EU. I got to practice living on my own and cooking for myself. - Wellesley College View Entire Review
August 31, 2025 Highly Recommend!
I gained some lifelong friends and an experience that’ll last a lifetime. I learned a lot about local culture and history. My class was amazing and my professor was just as great. I would say it was totally worthwhile. - Ohio State University - Columbus View Entire Review
This program is the ultimate study abroad experience. The courses are typically scheduled for M-Th, so most of the time there is a three day weekend where you can travel or REALLY get to know Athens. The courses were interesting, and since they often met in museums throughout the city, I felt that I visited neighborhoods and are... - University of Southern California View Entire Review
I had networked with peers and was introduced to new literature that I was not familiar with before that. The walking tours we took were informative in understanding the ancient history we were encountering. - University of Florida View Entire Review
I learned so much from my experience abroad! I learned not only so much about Greece from both my classes and locals, but how capable I am on my own. It was definitely a worthwhile experience that I will cherish forever! - George Washington University View Entire Review
July 10, 2025 Life Changing
The CYA program could not have been any better! I had the time of my life in Greece and would recommend this program to EVERYONE. CYA allowed me to fall in love with Greece by immersing me in the culture with its classes, trips, and activities. The entire program helped me settle into the new country as a student who has never t... - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I was the most confident and outgoing I had ever been. I also gained a passion for exploration--especially to less-traveled places--, meeting new people, and trying more food. - College of the Holy Cross View Entire Review
I learned about a different and vibrant culture, Greece's rich history, and met the kindest people. It changed me in ways I wouldn't have predicted. - Lehigh University View Entire Review
June 09, 2025 Cya
My study abroad experience in Greece was nothing short of incredible, and I owe so much of that to College Year in Athens (CYA). From the moment I decided to apply, the CYA team made me feel welcomed, supported, and prepared for what would become one of the most transformative experiences of my college journey. Even before arriv... - Hamilton College View Entire Review
February 26, 2025 The Best Semester Ever!
I made friendships that I know will last a lifetime, including bonds with other Greek-Americans! I was able to strengthen my knowledge of the Greek language, and the program encouraged me to continue my journey of learning and studying the Greek language to better connect myself to my ancestry, and to the lives of my grandparent... - Colby College View Entire Review
I had to adapt to a new culture, navigate unfamiliar streets, and embrace independence. The immersive classes—often held at iconic sites like the Acropolis—made learning dynamic and inspiring, connecting history and culture to our everyday experiences. This journey not only deepened my academic understanding but also taught me ... - College of the Holy Cross View Entire Review
January 21, 2025 The Best Semester!
I gained so many amazing friendships and connections, I was able to immerse myself in the culture and I learned to navigate the world on my own! It was definitely worthwhile, I loved it so much I did another semester abroad right after because of how much I loved the experience and how much it prepared me to go out into the worl... - Wellesley College View Entire Review
The most important thing I gained from this experience was confidence in myself. - Rollins College View Entire Review

About

CYA has offered study abroad programs in a wide range of academic disciplines for over 60 years. With supplemental activities varying from archaeological digs to onsite courses, study-travel, and volunteer opportunities, students are able to actively engage with their course material. Students live in apartments in downtown Athens and will be inspired to immerse themselves in the environment and expand their worldview. Athens, a European capital, is a vibrant city rich in history, a contemporary hub for art, international business and relations, and debate on economic, political, and migration issues.

The CYA curriculum comprises a diverse set of courses taught by expert faculty. A strong emphasis is placed on both contemporary and ancient studies, focusing on European and East Mediterranean Area Studies. Courses are taught in English, but language courses (Modern and Ancient Greek, Latin) are also available. Classroom lectures are complemented by volunteer/internship opportunities, onsite courses and field study to major historic and contemporary sites in Athens and to various parts of Greece (included in tuition).

In addition to the academic program, CYA encourages students to become involved in extracurricular activities and explore the Greek culture and life independently on weekends. Our ultimate goal is for students to return home academically empowered, intellectually stimulated, and with a passionate commitment to furthering international and intercultural understanding.

Visit our website at this link, and see some of the pages below for a student perspective!

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Program Type(s):
Study Abroad
Program Length(s):
  • Fall
  • Spring
  • Academic Year
Instruction Language(s):
  • English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
  • Environmental Studies
  • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
  • Communication and Media Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Modern Greek Language, Literature
  • Ancient/Classical Greek Language, Literature
  • Latin Language, Literature
  • Literature
  • Liberal Arts, General Studies
  • Global Studies
  • Ancient Civilization
  • Cultural Studies
  • Sustainability Studies
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Religion / Religious Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Archeology
  • Economics
  • International Relations
  • Political Science and Government
  • Urban Studies
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • History
Year Founded:
1962
Website
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Statistics

CYA (College Year in Athens) Scholarships

The CYA Board of Trustees has set aside funds for supplemental scholarships for academically qualified students who would otherwise not be able to attend. Scholarships for students applying for a semester or academic year are customarily awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to approximately half the amount of tuition. These scholarships are intended as credit against CYA fees and should not be used to reduce the financial aid package awarded through the home institution. Since CYA scholarships are given as an adjustment in the program fees, rather than as funds received by the student, they may cause a reduction of the student's demonstrated need. Often this means that a scholarship from CYA would not be beneficial because it would cause an equivalent reduction in the amount of financial aid awarded by the applicant's home school.

Varies

Deadlines:
*For consideration in the primary allotment of CYA scholarship aid (fall and spring semesters), complete applications should be received by April 1. Late fall application should send their paperwork in as soon as possible and will be considered on a rolling basis. Late spring application should send their papework in by October 30. Their applications will be reviewed at the beginning of November. Late spring application will be reviewed thereafter on a rolling basis.

Guidelines/Requirements:
Only students who have been accepted to College Year in Athens for a semester or academic year will be considered for an award

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