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?

Jacqueline Elia: I cannot advocate more for spending a semester abroad while at college. As a junior, COVID really impacted my college experience these past two years and restricted my experience on my own campus. I love my school so much, but being abroad has really helped me develop in ways I wouldn’t have been able to if I had stayed in the U.S. I have been able to study on sight and truly experience all of the places I have studied as a history and classics major like never before. I’ve been able to meet and befriend people from all across the states and I have been able to learn so much about Greece from the locals. Since being here abroad, I’ve gotten such valuable experience learning how I can apply my degree in a practical sense through on-sight research, but I have also just rekindled my passion for my degree and possible career paths. Without studying abroad, I don’t think I’d be in such a focused and eager state in my college career, I can not recommend going abroad enough.

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

Don’t let your worries about traveling or leaving behind what you know hold you back from experiencing this adventure. If I had listened to my doubts about traveling during COVID and leaving my friends who had just returned to campus, I never would have experienced all that I have and I would have regretted not studying in Greece forever.

Favorite food in Greece?

Souvlaki is absolutely the best dish for any occasion

Favorite class you took at CYA?

Ancient Sports and Spectacles