Finding Home in Athens: Kiera’s Homestay Experience with CYA

When students choose to study abroad with CYA, they step into an experience alumni call ‘life-changing’. One shaped not only by what they learn in the classroom, but by how they live every day. For most CYA semester students, that includes living in student apartments located around the area of Pangrati. But a few CYAers chose a different path: the homestay experience.

Living with a local host family is a way to join Greek family life. It’s a chance to connect across cultures, pick up the language organically, and be part of a local home. To help prospective students understand what homestay life can feel like, we sat down with Kiera Hasan, a Spring ‘25 CYA student from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and her host, Nicky, a Greek-American English teacher who has lived in Athens for over 30 years.

Homestay is almost a tradition in Kiera’s family, so when it was her turn to study abroad, she wanted to investigate the option. After reaching out to a student who had previously stayed in a homestay through CYA, Kiera felt more confident in her choice. “I just emailed CYA and said, ‘Hey, I’m trying to decide if I want to do a homestay. Is there someone I could talk to?’ CYA put us in contact, and it really helped.”

Now, months into her semester abroad, Kiera reflects on what it’s been like to live with Nicky in her Athens home. “It’s very different from student apartments,” she said. “You’re part of a family. And if I have a question, like where on earth to find something, I can just ask someone in my home.”

Nicky agrees. “[Students] can interact with me as much or as little as they want,” she said. “Especially at the beginning, I make myself available. I take them to school on the first day, show them the bus, pick them up, and make sure they know the right stop.”

Living in a homestay means encountering Greek culture in small, everyday ways – especially around the dinner table. “I’ve tried so many foods I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Kiera said. “Kokkinistó, stifádo,… so good.” Nicky makes an effort to introduce students to local flavors they won’t find in the student cafeteria. “I want to give them things they may not get at school,” she said. “Something that feels like home.”

We asked Kiera about her social and academic life in Athens. The classes she takes at CYA, ranging in disciplines from Ancient Greek Religion to Environmental studies, don’t directly tie into her majors (Social Studies Education, Music, and Norwegian), but she feels that, in this way, she added richness to her education. “And it’s kind of nice to have a break from music theory!” she said with a laugh.

Living outside the main student apartment hub meant she had to put in a little more effort to build friendships, Kiera explains, and added that it was worth it. “I thought it might be harder to make friends without roommates,” she said. “But I made an effort, and now I have a great group. It started with the people I sat with at breakfast the first day at CYA!”

Kiera’s daily life in Athens is a balance between classes and friendship, independence and connection. She heads to the Academic Center for classes, eats lunch with friends, and spends afternoons studying or socializing. Evenings at home with Nicky often include shared meals, chats over tea, and competitive Scrabble games. “In the winter, we’d sit around the fireplace with tea,” Kiera added. “It’s cozy!”

And yes – there are cats! “Twix is always in my room. She thinks it’s hers,” Kiera laughed. “I have to climb around her to get into bed.”

Toward the end of our conversation with Nicky and Kiera, they pondered on advice for students weighing their housing options in the future. Kiera suggests thinking about what kind of experience one wants. “It’s really about weighing the pros and cons for yourself,” she said. “For me, it came down to what kind of support and experience I wanted while abroad. A homestay gives you the chance to be part of daily life in Athens in a different way. If that sounds like something meaningful to you, then it’s worth considering.”

Nicky agreed and added, “It’s a softer first step into life abroad,” she said. “It’s a bit more personal, a bit warmer.”

And the connection doesn’t end with the semester. “We’ll definitely stay in touch,” Kiera said. Nicky added, “My first student came back to visit me after her program ended. She spent three of her five days in Greece with me! That’s what it’s about.”

—

The homestay option is limited in numbers, so applying early helps. Students receive relevant information after their application to CYA. If you are interested in finding out more about the program, contact the CYA Student Affairs department.