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
A once in a lifetime experience
February 18, 2026by: Aubrey Benson - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)
I studied abroad with College Year in Athens for a semester in Fall 2025 and I am so glad to have made that decision. The staff, courses, students, and extracurricular activities I interacted with while abroad enhanced my experience in Greece, allowing me to connect with the county's history, culture, and everyday life on a personal and interactive scale. The campus, although small, is in a perfect location to explore all that Athens has to offer. CYA is more than willing to help students explore the city, offering tutorials on how to use public transportation, catering events towards students' wants and needs, and housing students in locally-owned apartment blocks within walking distance from campus to encourage students to engage in everyday life in Athens. Studying abroad in Athens was such an incredible experience, and partnering with CYA to do so was a great decision.
Hi Aubrey, thanks for sharing your experience and photos with CYA! We love knowing you were able to make Pangrati your home and see so much of Greece while taking your courses. We hope you can visit again soon!
CYA provided me with the greatest three months I could ever ask for.
February 18, 2026by: Samuel Edney - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)
CYA was the perfect way to experience Greece. The housing was perfect and immersive, the food around Athens was cheap and good, and classes being held at historical sights was a dream come true. I would recommend this program to anybody who has a remote interest in history. I would also like to mention that the work/study trips were amazing, and gave all of us students opportunities to meet friends and learn history hands-on.
Hi Samuel, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear you found yourself immersed in the community and culture plus had the chance to explore Greece through your courses. We hope you can visit again soon!
Best Semester Ever!
February 07, 2026by: Lohla Yarolimek - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Greece with CYA (Semester/Academic Year)
I studied at CYA for the Fall 2025 Semester. The professors and staff are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Every professor I had genuinely cared for each student and about the subject they were teaching and wanted to the students to understand the material, not just memorize and pass the class. Some of my best memories happened in in class while visiting different sites around Athens or workshops put together by our professors for a hands on learning experience. The program itself is located in the perfect neighborhood in Athens. Its only a 10 minute walk to the acropolis and a 15 minute walk to the ancient agoras. Pangrati was very safe, even when walking back to our apartments after dark if we were studying at local cafes. CYA offered so many opportunities for us students and I wish more than anything I could relive my semester abroad!
Hi Lohla, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love hearing you enjoyed your professors, the chance to travel across Greece, and made Pangrati your home. We hope you can visit again soon!
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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
