Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Spring Semester 2024 June 10, 2024

By (University of Southern California) - abroad from 01/21/2024 to 05/17/2024 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Going abroad really made feel more like an adult since I had to navigate a completely different culture. Being at CYA was definitely worthwhile, the students were amazing and the trips CYA planned were so much fun. Many students travel around Europe but never get the opportunity to explore Greece. The field studies were an amazing opportunity to explore the inner parts of Greece with professors who are able to explain the culture and history. I would highly encourage CYA to keep these trips since I know many students such as myself really enjoyed them.

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.

* 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 loved being at CYA! Comparing it to all my other friends who were abroad it really seemed as if CYA had been the best program to attend. Free lunches, trips around Greece, great faculty, and overall a great location!!

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)

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?

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Faculty
  • Trips
  • Neighborhood
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Greek Immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have spent more time exploring Athens during my free time during the week. Don't take that for granted!

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.