Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Highly Recommend! August 31, 2025

By (Architecture, Ohio State University - Columbus) - abroad from 05/26/2025 to 06/28/2025 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained some lifelong friends and an experience that’ll last a lifetime. I learned a lot about local culture and history. My class was amazing and my professor was just as great. I would say it was totally worthwhile.

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.

The overall experience was amazing! I met people from all over and became quite close with them. We only had four free days the entire month being there, which sounds scary, but you got to see so much as a class that I really didn’t feel as though I was missing out.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my apartment! It was very spacious and modern. My only qualm with it is that it was a bit far from the academic center compared to my classmates.

* Food:

The food was okay. It was quite similar to dining hall food you would get on campus. It also was only available M-F for lunch. I much preferred going to grocery stores or restaurants for meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn’t have any personal health issues, but they are very good on getting the info out there in the case you might.

* Safety:

I felt pretty safe in Athens. There were parts to kind of avoid, but where the academic center was located and where your housing was, I felt safe.

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

I loved everything about it! See my specific comments on certain topics.

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)

Since I ate out instead of the dining hall food, I would put myself here. I probably spent like over 600 on food alone on this trip.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Making friends
  • Learning
  • Exploring
* What could be improved?
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had looked into Athens a bit more as a whole before going on this program. It would have been nice to make a list of places to eat or things to see before going there.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!