Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Four Months! January 06, 2025

By (Finance, Political Science, University of Notre Dame) - abroad from 09/01/2024 to 12/19/2024 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to experience so much of Greece and become very immersed in my neighborhood in Athens. I gained a new sense of adventure and problem-solving skills, as well as the most amazing relationships and new friends.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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

Everything about the CYA program is immensely wee done. There are so many opportunities for cultural immersion, interacting with locals, joining clubs and volunteering, and traveling Greece and experiencing new places.

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? $120

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?
  • The community
  • Cultural Immersion Experiences
  • New Friends and Relationships
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing at all!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had been told not to worry about meeting friends and people to travel with. Everyone is in the same boat!

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.