What inspired you to work for CYA?
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.
Some students and I had a small Halloween dinner last fall. Aren't we ghoulish!?
Describe a typical day at work.
My typical day involves anything and everything I can do to assist CYA students regarding practical and personal matters. That might include instructions on how to get something done, directions to a supermarket, beach, or health care facility, and how to navigate once there. I also attend to flatmate assignments and relations, as well as lend a listening ear at any time and for any reason.
What is your favorite part of your job?
CYA students of course! Our students make up the vital force and spirit of our program. They are what give character and direction to every day of the semester. While a first thought might be that they've naturally come here to learn, the reality is that we, the staff and faculty, continue to learn from our students as well.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Remaining current regarding social change, attitudes, and points of view is crucial in today's world. It's a responsibility that requires keeping all lines of communication open, and providing comfortable and safe spaces for self-expression and support for all. CYA is continuously working to maintain this safe climate, ensuring that our students have the most wonderful experience while abroad in Greece.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
On any adventure move forward and absorb all that you can. Experience and feel everything that comes your way.
You can always stop for a short while to reflect but then continue on. Accurate comparisons can be made once you've completed your adventure. Use your time away to see and feel what's new, include things both in and out of your comfort level. Once you're back at home you'll be grateful for having had such a rich growing experience.
Our Orientation Greek Dancing activity. I'm on the front end.
What makes CYA special?
I think that CYA has the most wonderful and accomplished faculty. All are experts in their fields. If you combine the outstanding faculty with the fact that the knowledge they impart is being given on the site(s) where ancient and modern events have actually happened, or where monuments were actually erected, you've created a situation that offers an incomparable experience. This is what CYA does.
Why should someone choose CYA over competitors?
Apart from the outstanding faculty and the notion of being in the place where it all happened or is happening, CYA Administration operates with an open door policy. Students will always find someone to help them or someone to talk to when stopping by the Academic Center.
We also offer many of the modern conveniences students have become accustomed to, including comfortable housing and spacious, modern facilities and classrooms all equipped with WiFi.
Our facilities are located in the heart of Athens. From our main Student Lounge, one has an unobstructed view of Acropolis and the beautiful Kallimarmaro Stadium. Come watch with us as the glorious orange sun sets behind Acropolis.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Personal growth. I would say that this is the most important prize from the study abroad experience. It will be with the student for a lifetime. While in Greece students will see many beautiful places and learn so many interesting and important things, academically and otherwise. This is all extremely valuable and helps shape the person we become.
Being in and navigating a new place and experiencing changes in levels of self-efficacy and comfort while building resilience skills is a life-changing and life-affirming experience. This is something that will carry them through the years, through both good and difficult times.
How do you help support participants?
My role at CYA is a student supportive one for sure. I am here for just about anything that comes up. If I can't solve an issue or offer an accurate answer to something specific, I can direct them to the right person or resource.
I think that my being an American native English speaker and a CYA student in the past are two of my most helpful and frequently used tools. I can see almost any issue from the perspective of a CYA student. I can see the perspective of a young person who is a non-Greek having to not only study but at the same time make their way around an unfamiliar place.
I've also lived in Greece long enough to have adopted the Greek perspective. I use all of this experience and more to give students the most relevant, sensitive, and helpful support I can offer.
CYA staff field trip in Capsia, Greece.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Once a person leaves their country of origin, they encounter and interact with others who have different experiences and understandings of life. These differences might be based on different histories (political or otherwise), social norms, or values to name a few. Some of what our students see or experience abroad will never leave them.
In a best-case scenario, a person who returns home after spending a significant amount of time abroad will have a broader understanding of life. They might possess new levels of curiosity, tolerance, and appreciation for things that are different, whether it be different people, events, social or moral differences, differences in community or in urban aesthetics, etc.
Being exposed to a different culture breaks us out of our rigid, same-society imposed enclosures. With a broader understanding of life outside of our usual experience, we can be more open to possibilities, growth, and cooperation.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
The short answer is do it! Then I would also say that they should engage in some pre-departure self-reflection regarding their lives, their comfort levels, their boundaries.
It might be a good idea to imagine a life where some of the familiar or "secure" is temporarily absent. They might take some time to imagine being free to observe and absorb new environs and think positively, understanding that there is so much potential for growth and joy on a study abroad experience. Nurture the eagerness that exists inside them and consciously tell themselves that they will be open to what comes on this new adventure.
Going abroad is exciting and nurturing in ways we can only imagine before actually arriving at our new destination. Should they decide to go, they should look forward to it. Imagine it but don't paint a concrete picture of what they'll experience based on guide books, etc. Once there, live every moment to its fullest and keep a journal of their experiences to reflect on and revisit once back home.
I often MC the ice-breaker activities during Orientation. Sometimes I think it's more fun for me than it is for the students!
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And CYA?)
Respect and sensitivity for a new culture is an important quality to have toward the host community. In regards to the host community itself, I feel that openness to young people living new experiences in a new place is key. If these two things are in place, then all the rest is so much easier.
CYA is located in a Greek neighborhood near the center of the city. Students live in apartment buildings populated by Greek families. We do our best to keep communication flowing so that everyone co-exists harmoniously. I think this allows for everyone to benefit from each other as opposed to just being tolerant. This makes for a very positive experience for both the students and people living in the local community.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me means that I've "forgotten" my usual self for a while and follow where my mind and spirit take me. It means that while away I'm not spending all my time defining everything. Instead, I'm experiencing it. I'm absorbing, observing, opening, and interacting. I'm living as much as possible in the new culture. I'm just a person. Not necessarily an American, a mother, an administrator. I'm a new part of that new environment.
