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?

Spending a semester abroad with CYA completely changed my perspective on the world and myself. My confidence has greatly increased in my own abilities, and being immersed in Greek culture changed my outlook on the world. In the US there is a very individualistic mindset, which was not at all the case when I came to Greece. I think that this brought out the best in me as well as the other CYA students, as we formed a strong community with each other and with members of the local community. I will carry this with me and I will always be thankful to Greece for this. Further, I had never taken so many courses rooted in classics, and it was wonderful to be able to learn just for learning's sake from so many knowledgeable professors. CYA encouraged learning while being immersed in our surrounding area, and this was a dramatic difference from many academic courses that I have taken before. This redefined how I saw the purpose of school: at CYA my perspective once again shifted and I was learning because of genuine curiosity and interest.

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

My advice would be mixed with encouragement. I was so terrified before going abroad, but I want to share with prospective/ incoming students how cared for I felt by the program. It was the perfect combination of feeling like a family and truly welcomed by the CYA professors, administrators, and community, while also getting the chance to be truly independent and travel. CYA strikes the perfect balance of making sure that everyone is doing well while also letting us have the freedom to explore and make memories independently.

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:

Finances while abroad

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

Finally being able to order food/ coffee in Greek. Having the opportunity to learn Greek was amazing.

Favorite food in Greece?

Tzatziki, Spanikopita, Souvlaki!!

Favorite class you took at CYA?

Cultural Landscapes