Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experience of a Lifetime December 28, 2023

By (Psychology, University of Notre Dame) - abroad from 08/27/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This semester in Athens offered to me through CYA was the opportunity of a lifetime. Everyone at CYA from the faculty, admin, and support staff to the students are all so wonderful and happy to have you around. They are always willing to share a smile and help you with anything you need. The academics could have an appropriate challenge at times, but this was never overwhelming. Faculty understand you are abroad and want you to experience beautiful Greece. Athens is lively and fun, full of things to do if you know where to look. Students live in Pangrati, which is a 15 minute walk from the center in Syntagma and a 7 minute walk from a metro station to get all around Athens. Overall, this was an experience that I would give anything to do all over again.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics understand that students want to have time to travel around, but there is an appropriate level of challenge.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Admin care about students and put them first

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great location in Pangrati

* Food:

Greek food is awesome and the cafeteria feeds you well for free every weekday for free lunch

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I am a Greek American, so this came easier to me; however, it is cultural for Greeks to be very welcoming to non-Greeks and foreigners visiting/living in the country, a motif called "filoxenia"

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Mental and physical healthcare access was plentiful

* Safety:

Never felt concerned walking late at night

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Food is not overly expensive in Greece

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

Encouragement was more social than grade-mandated. Greeks love it when you engage with their culture and language. Language of instruction is English

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? See if a local Greek Orthodox Christian parish in America near you offers anyone who is able to tutor you for a bit before you depart. Most have Greek language school programs and you can make a deal with whoever the teacher is there likely to tutor you a bit. It can't hurt to send an email.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Amazing food (Greek cuisine is excellent and you can't go wrong with any of it)
  • Gorgeous weather (coldest it got in the fall semester was around 45°F)
  • Super inexpensive concerts (€15-20)
* What could be improved?
  • You'll be sad when you leave
  • I wish I had stayed longer
  • You can be pickpocketed on metro and public transport if you're not careful
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open to trying new things

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.