Alumni Interview with John Helmy

What inspired you to travel abroad?

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.

I loved learning about how important family is to the Greeks, the difference in the medical systems, and the famous Greek hospitality. I learned to truly be independent, grew as an individual, and improved both my social and professional skills thanks to this amazing program.

Why did you choose College Year in Athens?

I heard many good reviews about the CYA staff from my study abroad advisors. I have also always wanted to go to Greece. The beautiful greenery, very nice locals, abundant history, amazing beaches, and world-renowned food are just a few of the reasons I chose to study in Greece.

The one-of-a-kind staff at CYA made the program even better with program-led travel trips, a friendly atmosphere, and staff always available to help with any problems that arise. CYA is by far the best program/organization I have interacted with and I am very happy with my decision.

What was your favorite part about Greece?

Greece was just amazing. What was there not to love? Truly kind people, beautiful scenery, amazing beaches, and much more.

There was always something to do while in Greece. My favorite thing to do was just to speak to any locals I could find. Whether it be a conversation about politics and spirituality or vacations and food, there was always something to learn from the friendly Greek locals.

The best part was that everyone was very open to conversation and willing to talk!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

I always tell people that the thing that made my experience so special was the people I met. The lifelong friends I made while abroad is something that will last forever. The experience would not have been the same without the amazing friends that I met.

And although I loved Greece, I realized that it’s not so much the location that I loved so much, but being with so many people that I truly cherished. Thank you CYA for introducing me to some of the best people I will ever meet.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The CYA staff are by far the best and most supportive staff I have ever met. They are ALWAYS willing to help. I mean if your power turns off at 4:00 a.m., there is someone available to help. 

This staff is willing to stay on their day off to help do laundry before a trip, always available through phone or email, make cookies for students during exams, and really treat the students like family.

I have never met a group of individuals more caring and thoughtful than the CYA staff, always willing to go above and beyond for their students.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

I wish I could have spent more time outside and traveling. Once I returned, I realized that every moment not spent exploring that beautiful country was a waste. There was so much to see and do that I am even more excited to go back.

Five months was not nearly enough and I can’t wait to go and explore more of Greece. I also want to learn the Greek language better in order to engage with the locals. Although many people know English, they were far more comfortable speaking in Greek, especially in the smaller rural villages.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

This is a difficult question because no day in Greece was “typical.” Sometimes I would spend the entire day at a beautiful beach, sometimes I would study at a park, other times I would meet up with friends and hang out in an apartment; still other times I would be exploring a different city.

Even the classes were never the same. Many class days were spent traveling to different areas around the city to experience what we were learning about. No matter what kind of day you have, it will definitely be amazing!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

During my free time, I enjoyed spending time with my friends. It didn’t really matter what we were doing, just that we were together. We did many things during my free time: beach trips, movie nights, cooking contests, toga parties, museum exploration, and visiting archeological sites.

The thing I enjoyed most was probably simple conversation. Forming those genuine bonds with people is the best part of studying abroad in my opinion. And CYA made sure that the students had ample free time to explore the country, enjoy their hobbies, and form those important connections with others. Thank you CYA!

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I stayed in a CYA apartment! It was absolutely perfect. The best thing about it was the amazing roommates I was placed with! CYA makes sure to try and match people together who would get along, and I have to say that they did a great job. 

My roommates made my apartment a place I loved to go back to. It also helped that CYA staff were available 24/7 to help with any apartment problems that came up. Electrical outage, no water, broken stove, it didn’t matter what the problem was—the CYA staff found a way to fix it.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Future participants should know that CYA is the best! They are so open to feedback and will try their best to help you enjoy your time. If there is somewhere you want to go or something you want to do, the CYA staff will do everything in their power to help you achieve your goal. 

Whether it be giving you resources to climb Mt. Olympus, setting up a medical internship, helping you order room décor, or planning a trip to the Greek Islands, CYA staff will help you with anything you need. Be assured that you will be in the best hands while you are saying in Greece.

Would you recommend College Year in Athens to others? Why?

I would recommend CYA to anyone and everyone! The staff are amazing. They are so kind, funny, and helpful. They will help you with anything you need, joke around with you, and really treat you like family. I never felt shy or embarrassed to ask for help.

Even late at night or during the weekends, the CYA staff are more than willing to go the extra mile to help their students. They even keep in contact after you leave to check up on you and see how you are doing. I recommend CYA because you can really feel how much the staff cares about the students they have each semester!

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

The biggest benefit of studying abroad is the personal growth you will experience. You are in a completely different country for months on your own. You are bound to become more independent and self-sufficient due to this experience.

Also, you will make lifelong friendships that will last forever and experience a totally different culture from your own! There are so many benefits from studying abroad, it is impossible just to pick one. Even just walking around the new city by yourself on the first day is an amazing experience that will make you so glad that you came!

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

Now that I am home, my time abroad has significantly impacted my life! First, I have been told that I will not shut up about my time abroad because I had so much fun. Also, my time abroad has given me a newfound appreciation for learning languages; I am now studying both Spanish and Greek.

Also, I keep up to date with world politics rather than just being consumed by what is going on around me in the USA. Even my desired profession has been impacted by my time abroad. I want to be a doctor, and my time abroad has made me realize how needed physicians are across the world.

As a result, I yearn to participate in international mission trips and Doctors Without Borders when I become a physician!

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means a lot of things to me. It can be anything from a conversation to traveling halfway across the world. I believe that meaningful travel is anything that is memorable to you in a new setting.

Whether it be going to a new place to eat, area of town, state, or even a new country any of these can be meaningful travel. What makes travel meaningful is the relationships you form during these travels.

These relationships are what last even after you return from the experience, and what you will cherish for a lifetime.