Written by CYA Ambassador Michael Newton (Swarthmore ’24, CYA Spring ’22) 

I loved studying abroad in Greece so much that I just had to do it again, but this time in Australia! Currently, I am in Sydney, Australia for the semester studying education and mathematics. This time around, I am extremely prepared all thanks to my experience at CYA.

Studying abroad through CYA has taught me quite a bit. Academically, the mantra of “Greece is your classroom” has allowed me to approach traditional Australian classroom norms from a unique perspective, one that challenges me to think critically and deeply. Moreover, the adventurous, collaborative nature of CYA classrooms prepared me to navigate different elements of education that are often stationary.

Travel-wise, I’ve no fear! Traveling [through] a country where English is not the dominant language has certainly allowed me to travel Australia with ease. The friendly nature of Greek people made me comfortable to travel solo, make new friends, and talk to strangers. I will say the Greek and Australian landscape are incomparable, but one thing for sure is that I am having as much fun as I did while I was in Greece.

Finally, the sense of independence is a tenet I will never forget from my time at CYA. It is always scary restarting in a new environment. While CYA is a program, my current study abroad is direct enrollment. There are no set groups, field trips, or events; it truly is everyone for themselves. While this was a difficult transition for me, I will always be able to lean on what my time at CYA has taught me: how to be independent. Solo-traveling is a scary yet fun way to embrace the idea of independence and ready to mold it to what you want it to be. Here, I can spend some days by myself and not feel like I am missing out on anything. Here, I can wake up and say yes to a plan without knowing where it will take me. Here, I can continue to build upon the foundation CYA provided me to achieve the happiest and healthiest version of me I can be.

My advice: Jump head first into study abroad!

 

Written by CYA Ambassador Michael Newton (Swarthmore ’24, CYA Spring ’22)