Life Changing September 11, 2023

By Natalie T (Contemporary Art, Princeton University) - abroad from 05/29/2023 to 06/24/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

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!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I felt that the course work and life balance was perfect, in a way where I was challenged but also given time to relax.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I enjoyed the culture and course.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$250

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment Hotel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Culture Life balance travel
* What could be improved?	n/a n/a n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Eat more gyros to save money

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	“Islomania”: An Exploration of Contemporary Art in the Greek Islands (Athens, Crete, Poros, Syros)
Course Department:	Classics
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	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!
Credit Transfer Issues:	No credit transfer issues