Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Summer Ever! September 23, 2025

By (Classical Civilization and Psychology, Ohio University) - abroad from 05/12/2025 to 07/21/2025 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would absolutely recommend doing this program for both the cultural and academic aspects. I learned a lot about myself and how I travel, and I also learned about other people, cultures, and traditions.

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.

I took the Travel Writing and the Excavating the Aegean course. The former course was very fun, and a good balance of consuming culture and synthesizing our own assignments. The former course was a heavier workload and more manual labor, but I got good experience on the archeological dig and I learned a lot about archeology in Greece.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was very easy to get help and get into contact with everyone. The program was very well run. Everything went seamlessly, and they were prepared for any problems.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was clean, comfortable, and my roommates were awesome. I was very lucky to get such a nice apartment. The hotels were also all amazing.

* Food:

Delicious! They only provide you with lunch, but good gyros are only €3.50 if you find the right place.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was very easy to meet locals if you looked for it. I do wish we’d spent a little more time in more populated areas because I loved Athens so much, but that’s all the more reason to go back!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My roommate had an allergic reaction and we had to call an ambulance. It was all handled very well and the pharmacists were so helpful. We were prepped well for any issues that might arise on the first day.

* Safety:

I felt very safe even late at night. The information session we had at the beginning really helped assuage fears. We also had a good amount of independence in the program which I really enjoyed.

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

The people that I met and the things that I learned will stick with me for the rest of my life. I only wish I had more time and met more people there.

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)

2: I definitely could have budgeted way more if I’d wanted to, but there were so many trinkets and gifts or expensive meals I’d saved up for.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Think for a day about an object before you make the purchase! If you still really want it, go back and grab it. Don’t just follow your whims. Get a freddi cappuccino for breakfast gyro with an orange Fanta for dinner every day and your wallet will thank you.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Flexibility
  • Travel
  • Workload
* What could be improved?
  • More time in Athens
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had studied more Greek and made a list of things I wanted to to in each place! Basically, that I had ingratiated myself more in the culture.

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.