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
The best place I could have stressed that much
January 13, 2026by: Justin Dooley - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)
I thoroughly loved my time in Athens, although I did sabotage myself by choosing to apply to graduate schools while taking four language classes. The professors were amazing, but the classes I chose were at the senior level and were very stressful to deal with and left me with not much time to explore Athens.
Mama Mia Summer
January 12, 2026by: Brooke Liberto - United StatesGreece is such a beautiful place to go, let alone study. Not only will you be captivated by the environment and all Greece has to offer, but you'll find yourself deeply immersed in the culture. I'm so glad that I chose CYA Summer for my abroad experience. The staff, chefs, instructors, and many others truly made Athens feel like a home away from home. Whether you know someone else in the program or not, you will have friends for life. For example, my first session, I knew no one, but in my second, I was rooming with my best friend from home. These were two VERY different experiences, both enjoyable in their own way. The first apartment I was in was a group of 6 girls, and we still talk today! Also, the best part of CYA is how much you get to travel and see some of the amazing things Greece has to offer. For example, here is a list of places I went over the span of two sessions: Athens, Paros, Crete, Hydra, Delos, Delphi, Mykonos, Santorini, Milos, Naxos, and MORE!
The Best Semester Ever!
January 06, 2026by: Sydney Padgett - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)
I have been sitting here trying to figure out how to summarize my time in Greece with College Year in Athens into a cohesive piece of writing, and I keep coming back to the same conclusion: this experience truly changed me. This experience gave me so much more than just classes abroad. It gave me friendships that made a new place feel like home, moments that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and a new way of seeing the world and myself. If I could do it all over again, I would always choose College Year in Athens.
Hi Sydney, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear that you gained independence, built lasting friendships, and made unforgettable memories while studying with us in Greece. 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
