College Year in Athens
Why choose College Year in Athens?
CYA (College Year in Athens) is a nonprofit educational institution that has been acting as a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and Greece for nearly 60 years. Our study abroad program helps students to develop new perspectives on the world, their own countries and themselves. CYA offers outstanding academic programs (semester, year, winter and summer), Virtual Internships and Ga...
CYA (College Year in Athens) is a nonprofit educational institution that has been acting as a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and Greece for nearly 60 years. Our study abroad program helps students to develop new perspectives on the world, their own countries and themselves. CYA offers outstanding academic programs (semester, year, winter and summer), Virtual Internships and Gap programs all of which embrace the vibrant experience of day-to-day contact with the people, the monuments and the landscape of Greece. All the programs place an emphasis on learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on learning experience in the rich and diverse environment of the country. Our extensive curriculum is complemented by on-site classes adding a new dimension to learning as well a...
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College Year in Athens Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
College Year in Athens (CYA) Semester Abroad Experience
December 11, 2025by: Lily Simolon - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)I had a great study abroad experience through CYA. The program offers a great mix of academics, cultural immersion, social events, and incorporated travel into the semester. One of the main highlights from my time in Greece is the CYA Field Studies. These field studies are trips across Greece and abroad, in which transportation and housing are covered by CYA, and are centered around different academic topics. A couple of the trips that I got to go on included journeys to Olympia and Delphi, the island of Crete, the Peloponnese, and Naples, Italy. These trips guided by CYA professor provided me a greater understanding of Greek culture and history, while also providing a great opportunity to connect with fellow classmates and form new friendships. Additionally, the location of CYA academic buildings and student apartments are in a great neighborhood. With all housing between 3-10 minutes away from classroom buildings, the area is very safe and easy to walk around. Furthermore, the academic building is directly adjacent to the Olympic Stadium! Overall my experience CYA was beyond what I could have imagined and would recommend this program to anyone interested in immersing oneself in a new culture and explore the beauty and history of Greece.
Hi Lily, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We are so happy to hear found our courses and field study trips to be beneficial and had the chance to immerse yourself in the Greek culture. We hope you can visit again soon!
The experience of my life!
November 27, 2025by: Ayana Runyan - United StatesProgram: Summer Study Abroad in Greece with CYAAs my first time out of the country, I would say that I wouldn’t change it for the world! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and I learned so much from my program. This program helped solidify my decision on graduate school. Overall, CYA made me grow personally and professionally!
Hi Ayana, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love hearing that you found so much growth academically and personally during your time in Greece. We hope you can visit again soon!
A truly transformative experience
November 15, 2025by: Brooke Pociask - United StatesProgram: Summer Study Abroad in Greece with CYAI did the Summer Session I program from May-June 2025. I had never been out of the country before, let alone on my own. I was nervous, but the CYA program and my class made the experience absolutely amazing. My class, taught by professor Eve Geroulis, became incredibly close very quickly, and we took many field trips to do hands-on ethnographic research and be immersed in Greek culture. This program pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible, and I will forever be grateful!
Hi Brooke, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We are so happy to hear you found our summer program to be transformative and had the chance to experience Greece while learning from Professor Geroulis. We hope you can visit again soon!
College Year in Athens Programs
Browse programs you might like
CYA (College Year in Athens) has been offering study abroad programs in various academic disciplines for over 60 years. Athens, a European capita...
Students interested in short-term, intensive study abroad are invited to take CYA's summer program, which offers unique, experience-based learnin...
If you have a keen interest in archaeology, you may gain experience and credit by participating in CYA’s three-week Winter Intersession programs....
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Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
John Helmy
Participated in 2021
John is a first generation Egyptian American who graduated from UNC Chapel Hill this past spring (Spring 2021) and is currently applying to medical sc...
John Helmy
Participated in 2021
I wanted to experience a completely new culture and immerse myself in a new setting. I yearned to meet people with a different way of thinking from my own, and through CYA I was able to experience the Greek culture.
Cheyenne Paulson
Interviewed in 2021
Cheyenne is a graduate from the University of Michigan (UM) where she studied Classical Archeology and Art History. During the summer of 2015, she stu...
Cheyenne Paulson
Interviewed in 2021
What inspired you to travel abroad?
As an alumna of the program, CYA is the reason I fell in love with study abroad. The structure of the program, for me, is what makes it a unique educational experience. As someone who learns more from being on-site and through interactions, I learned so much more by taking classes that revolved around archeological sites, rather than just looking at them in the textbooks like I had done back home.
Jennifer Holland 2021
Interviewed in 2021
Apart from being a College Year in Athens (CYA) Alum, Jennifer Holland is a grateful and proud member of CYA. She enjoys doing her part to help carry ...
Jennifer Holland 2021
Interviewed in 2021
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was inspired by the knowledge I acquired about CYA, its history, and its mission to students while studying in the program. Once I was introduced to what we do here I wanted to take an active role in helping others have this rich and wonderful study abroad experience.
Ready to Learn More?
CYA (College Year in Athens) is a nonprofit educational institution that has been acting as a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and Greece for nearly 60 years. Our study abroad program helps students to develop new perspectives on the world, their own countries and themselves. CYA offers outstanding academic programs (semester, year, winter and summer), Virtual Internships and Gap programs all of which embrace the vibrant experience of day-to-day contact with the people, the monuments and the landscape of Greece. All the programs place an emphasis on learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on learning experience in the rich and diverse environment of the country. Our extensive curriculum is complemented by on-site classes adding a new dimension to learning as well a...
College Year in Athens
College Year in Athens
Ready to Learn More?
CYA (College Year in Athens) is a nonprofit educational institution that has been acting as a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and Greece for nearly 60 years. Our study abroad program helps students to develop new perspectives on the world, their own countries and themselves. CYA offers outstanding academic programs (semester, year, winter and summer), Virtual Internships and Gap programs all of which embrace the vibrant experience of day-to-day contact with the people, the monuments and the landscape of Greece. All the programs place an emphasis on learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on learning experience in the rich and diverse environment of the country. Our extensive curriculum is complemented by on-site classes adding a new dimension to learning as well a...
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Awards
Check out awards and recognitions College Year in Athens has received
