Exceeded my expectations December 22, 2021

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My favorite thing about the classes at CYA was how hands-on they always were. All of the classes I took motivated me to get out of the classroom and into Athens one way or another. I think I was able to learn a lot not only about the topic the class covered but also about the city because of this.

On-site administration of your program

The people in the administration I went to for guidance and assistant were always extremely helpful and attentive. They genuinely treated us like they had known us for years.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments are located in an extremely convenient part of Athens. The closest metro station was a 10-minute walk and it could take you literally anywhere. The apartments were in the center of Athens, in Pangrati and most cultural landmarks (in Athens) were within walking distance. My room was very spacious and nice and it had a balcony and a full closet. The appliances are a little outdated but if anything broke someone would come and fix it right away. I was very satisfied with my living situation.

CYA provided lunch every weekday and it was always very good. The food was usually more traditionally greek which I welcomed, but they switched up from time to time. The desserts were always really good.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved Athens because I loved Greeks. Greek people are upfront and sometimes a little blunt but I was never made to feel unwelcome. It was a little cultural shock at first but as I acclimated I realized how open to friendship and cultural exchange greek people are.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to be briefly hospitalized during my time abroad. My program tried as best as they could to assist me and I'm thankful for that, but my experience was not as smooth as I had wished. My international insurance provider would not cover the costs upfront and I had to pay out of pocket for medical services which put a severe dent in my budget. Apart from the complicated bureaucratic aspect of my visit, I'd say medical care is accessible and good, just factor in potential costs even if you have insurance. On a separate note, everyone had to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 to attend CYA.

I think Athens is a very safe city. I was there for four months and never felt unsafe walking around at night or by myself, especially in the area where I lived and the center. The biggest general concerns are the pickpocketers but I never had any incidents involving pickpocketing or any violent encounter. I did attend several sports events and the fans can get quite aggressive so keep an eye out for that if you want to go to a game.

CYA had a perfect balance I was looking for between work and play. I wanted to be challenged academically while immersing myself in the culture and the experience of living abroad

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• My peers
• The location
• The staff

• It's a very classics/archaelogy heavy program so more options for other disciplines

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