I am not a Classics major, nor am I studying Greece in any way at my home university. However, I think that living in a new culture and location for an extended amount of time is an incredibly eye-opening experience, and one which I will forever cherish. It has made me more open-minded and willing to experience change. I also have a personal connection to Greece--my grandfather was from Thessaloniki--and spending this semester living in Greece really helped me to feel closer to him in many ways. I am now the person in my family who speaks the most Greek, for example. And as a future social studies educator, broadening my personal and academic horizons is always great; I feel as if I can be a better educator about the wider world now.

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

Always reach out to chat with someone if you have questions--I’m certain you do! I had so many questions before I arrived, and chatting with alumni, staff, and current students was super helpful. And plan out your budget before you even leave home, it’ll really help in the long run! Also, look into applying for a homestay! I had the best experience living in a homestay this semester, and I think that more students should know about how great the program is. You can even reach out to a current homestay student with questions. That’s what I did, and now I’m helping out a future homestay student by chatting with them and answering their questions.

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.

Strike and protest culture is very different here in Greece than it is in the US. I would say that it is used almost more as a form of communicating upset and unhappiness with the government, working hours, etc., and not solely as a method to make change happen immediately. Strikes and protests happen all the time, and they are planned in advance. The main difference is that they don’t usually last until change happens; rather, they last for the announced amount of time (usually).

I had plenty of political discussions while here in Greece, usually with my host mom, who is an American expat. So we compared Greek politics to US politics a lot; spring 2025 was a very interesting semester politically, of course. I also stayed with my aunt and uncle in Thessaloniki for spring break, and we had plenty of political discussions as well. There were very few occasions when I had a political discussion with someone whom I didn’t know.

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, Dietary restrictions, homestay student

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

My whole homestay experience. From learning how to unlock the door, to getting used to planning out my showers around the water heater, to eating and cooking all sorts of Greek foods, my time in my homestay was an incredible cultural experience. I really felt immersed in Greece and in Athens. It felt like I was living the real Athenian life, because I was. And this is an experience I will forever treasure; it is not one that someone can gain from being a tourist. I got to live like a true Athenian for four months, and I will never forget just how different the life of a tourist is versus a local. It really gave me perspective and such an appreciation for Greek culture and the Greek experience.

Favorite food in Greece?

Kokkinisto! My host mom made it a few times, and I loved it so much that I asked for the recipe. I also love souvlaki, of course, and also horiatiki.

Favorite class you took at CYA?

Ancient Macedon to the Death of Alexander the Great. John was one of my favourite professors!

What extracurricular activities were you involved with in Greece?

Marble carving!