The best underrated program! December 28, 2023
By A student (University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/16/2023 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
I learned so much about myself and the ways I can thrive in environments unfamiliar to me. In addition to everything I learned in class, I learned more from the friends I made and being in the city.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All of my classes were super interesting with knowledgeable professors. Most classes go on frequent field trips in the city which helped in teaching me about modern and ancient Greek history |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CYA is located in Pangrati, a cute neighborhood only a 15-20 minute walk away from the Acropolis and big shopping areas. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All the apartments are within about 5 minutes of the academic buildings. Mine was right above a pharmacy and on the same corner as a grocery store, everything was super convenient |
| * Food: |
Accommodated for all diets |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's an American-only program located in a touristy area |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick my second week there and after filling out a health form, someone from CYA personally recommended me doctors of different price ranges. When I went the appointment only cost about 50 euro and I was prescribed three medications |
| * Safety: |
There are sometimes protests that can become violent, but these are known in advance and CYA will warn you about the areas you should avoid |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
A small program like CYA allowed for many connections and a community actively fostered by the CYA staff. Coming from a huge school, this was a unique experience I'm grateful I got to have. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Greece is a very affordable country right now if you're American |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had realized how difficult it was to travel to other countries from Greece, you can't take a train like other European countries. Instead, I wish I focused more on traveling to all the islands and beautiful locations within the country |
