CYA-Semester in Athens Past Review

By (Anthropology., Pacific Lutheran University) for

CYA (College Year in Athens) - Semester/Academic Year Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I learned a lot about a part of the world I was not very familiar with and had a good time. I liked Greece but I love other places that I've been more. But my time away was well spent!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The way the work was expected to be done was different because you're in a different country. There was a bit more expected of each class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program in itself was great, the faculty and staff were supportive and were able to help no matter the situation. It would have been nice to have more interaction with the people of the host country, especially people my own age.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

We got free lunch, which was usually pretty good. There are tons of little kiosks around where you can grab a snack at a relatively cheap price and Tavernas are absolutely awesome.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We took 2 field trips; one to the Peloponnese and the other to Northern Greece. Both were quite great. Since Greece is pretty centrally located going to Africa, or the Middle East was easy and worth it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Greece is in a transitional period at the moment, but they like students and are very welcoming to foreigners. If you want to see a demonstration just take someone who speaks the language with you and your safe enough:D

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Everyone, didn't use it in everyday situations though because everyone spoke English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans