The benefit of spending a semester abroad with CYA is that the city of Athens, and arguably all of Greece, is your classroom. This provides numerous opportunities to have an immersive classroom/learning experience. Before, CYA I had already considered myself to be an experienced traveler; due to the numerous European trips that I have been on with my family, and the WWI MayX that I went on with Furman University. However, while this did help me prepare for my life in Athens, I still gained valuable experience in living independently and in an unfamiliar environment. This gave me confidence in myself that I did not know that I needed. As a result, I feel like I'm more prepared to live by myself in an unfamiliar place.

What advice do you have for prospective students who are interested in or planning to study abroad with CYA?

Arrive in Athens a day before the program starts. This will make sure that you are both well-rested, and have a clear mind for when the program starts. I did this, and I was able to completely unpack, scout the area around my apartment, fill out all of the CYA forms, and map my route from my apartment to CYA without felling the effects of just getting off of a redeye flight. Another thing that I recommend is immediately pulling up Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc., and saving the addresses of both your apartment and CYA. Once you have done that, use the app to see which restaurants, laundromats, grocery stores, etc., are near you. This will help you get acquainted with the part of Pangrati.

please select any of the following that apply to you, and that you would be willing to share about your CYA experience with other students:

Dietary restrictions, Finances, Advice on how you can set yourself up for success within your first 24-48 hours in Athens! Travel advice ( in Athens, other parts of Greece, and parts of Europe), day-to-day finances, other practical advice.

Briefly describe a cultural experience you had that was significant to you in any way.

While taking the "THE WORLDS OF MEDIEVAL GREECE: TRACING BYZANTINE, ISLAMICATE, SLAVIC, JEWISH, AND FRANKISH HERITAGES IN THE AEGEAN" class, I learned about the fall of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade. During this lecture, we discussed the numerous artifacts that were looted from Constantinople, such as the bronze horses from the Hagia Sophia, and brought to other European cities. Through the optional CYA trip to Venice and Ravenna, 'I was able to see this artifact in person. Furthermore, I was able to see where they originally stood through a personal trip to Istanbul. This would not have been possible if Greece had not been in such a prime location for out-of-country travel.

Favorite food in Greece?

chicken and potato souvlaki

Favorite class you took at CYA?

SPORTS, GAMES AND SPECTACLES IN THE GRAECO-ROMAN WORLD. John Karavas was my favorite professor, and a wonderful person!

What extracurricular activities were you involved with in Greece?

Marble Carving Workshop