Based on your experience with CYA, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester or summer abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

From my experience with CYA, the benefits of spending a semester abroad are endless. The opportunity to meet new people from such diverse backgrounds while experiencing living in a foreign country is rare in life. The courses offer educational growth, while providing out-of-class experiences to physically see what we have been taught. Personal and professional development evolve from the connections made through CYA and on our own. We are able to establish personal connections from all over and still have opportunities presented to us in the forms of teaching, babysitting, interning, etc.

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

Before starting my study abroad experience, I honestly did not know what to expect and had countless questions. The advice I would provide prospective students would be to ask themselves: why not? If they are uncertain, there is truly nothing stopping them from making this leap and is a once in a lifetime opportunity that may never present itself again. I would also recommend they get their visa paperwork submitted earlier rather than later!

How was the political climate in Greece different from what are you used to? If applicable, describe a time when you had to navigate a political conversation during your time abroad.

The political climate in Greece hasn't directly affected me but I have observed some rather political protests. The first week here, there were some students I know that accidentally found themselves in a rally. The number of protests that occur here was initially shocking primarily due to my lack of exposure to them. Thankfully, my sociology course I take here has helped me understand the political climate and the political protests.

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:

Accessibility Services, Finances while abroad, Mental health while abroad

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

A cultural experience I had that was significant was when I ate dinner with a Greek family and was kicked out of the kitchen for doing dishes. I thought I would assist in cleaning up the table since they provided me with food, drinks, and treats. When I went to wash the dishes, the grandmother was utterly shocked and said "we host you. You go socialize. No dishes, I will wash them later." I was always taught to help clean the plates as a guest so it was strange to not show my appreciation that way.

Favorite food in Greece?

Spinach Pie

Favorite class you took at CYA?

Greek Language and Culture

Favorite quote from abroad?

"Wait is it spelled Llamas or Yamas?" *before learning the greek alphabet*