Every Weekend Was a New Adventure! July 22, 2026
By A student (University of Notre Dame) - abroad from 01/19/2026 to 05/16/2026 with
CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program
Studying abroad taught me to say yes to new experiences and embrace the unknown. I became more confident navigating unfamiliar places, learned to appreciate different cultures, and realized how much growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Every weekend adventure, from field studies to spontaneous trips with friends, helped me become more independent and open-minded. It was absolutely worthwhile and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes! Every weekend brought a new adventure, whether it was exploring a different part of Greece, experiencing a new culture, or making unforgettable memories with friends. This program gave me the perfect balance of academics, travel, and independence, and I would choose it again in a heartbeat. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known just how quickly the semester would fly by. I would tell future students to take every opportunity that comes their way, whether it's joining a last-minute trip, exploring a new neighborhood, or saying yes to experiences outside their comfort zone. Some of my favorite memories came from the moments I never planned, and those adventures are what made my time in Greece so unforgettable. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
