Study Human Rights Advocacy Abroad

Going abroad with CYA was truly a life changing experience for me. I got to immerse myself with the Greek culture and got to visit areas of Greece that I didn't even know existed through field study trips. For example, besides living in Athens, I had the opportunity to visit Northern Greece and see more of Greece's country side. Additionally, through the academics that CYA provides, I was able to take a modern Greek class and even got to learn a little bit of Greek. I will never forget my time with CYA and am grateful for everything it taught me.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Daisy, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We are thrilled to hear you felt supported throughout your semester and had a chance to immerse yourself in the culture. We hope you can visit again soon!

Studying abroad is the adventure of a lifetime! With CYA, it was even more memorable. The program is located in Athens, in a safe, lively neighborhood. I felt immersed in the culture immediately, with tavernas and local grocery stores just steps from my apartment. The program not only offers opportunities and activities right there in Athens, but it also coordinates trips throughout Greece to further our exploration of the country. I loved how supportive and organized the program was. It made it easy to not only learn more about culture, history, and language while in Greece, but also to get the most out of our study abroad experience. I liked the size of the program because everyone gets to know each other really well, and it makes it feel like a family. The professors are extremely supportive and are always looking to make personal connections with the students. There are so many class options for any major or interest. A lot of the classes like to use Athens as their classroom, and I think this was one of my favorite parts. I loved meeting at the Athenian Agora or the Acropolis to actually see what we were learning about. I loved taking Greek language, mainly because my professor was the best! I learned so much from her, and she made learning the language possible and exciting. It was so fun going to the local coffee shops and practicing my Greek. CYA is a great program for anyone interested in Greece, history, arts, culture, the Greek language, or a program that takes the abroad experience to the next level!

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA and these amazing photos! We love hearing you had the chance to explore both inside and outside of the classroom. Hopefully you can visit again soon!

Applying to CYA and studying abroad with them was one of the best choices of my life. The program was diverse and captivating, the faculty were so supportive, and the academics were top tier. This program not only fostered my growth as a student but as an individual and global community member.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 25, 2026

Hi Tori, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear you found the courses to be impactful and had the chance to grow. Hopefully you can visit again soon!

My name is Kabba and I studied abroad in London, England during the Fall 2025 semester! I chose to study abroad because I wanted to explore an opportunity to grow by doing something out of my comfort zone. AIFS helped make my experience an unforgettable one by ensuring I was prepared before departure and providing me with support during my time abroad. I would recommend studying abroad with AIFS to anyone who is willing to expand their horizon!

This program was such a wonderful experience for me and I learned so much! All of the professors and staff were so helpful and clearly cared a lot. There were so many talks and guest speakers that were very insightful and who shared their life experiences. There was a very strong community among all of the students and Casa Augsburg is very conveniently located to the center of the city. The host families were all welcoming and caring. There were a good selection of interesting classes offered and the Spanish language school was also very good and had lots of speaking practice. Overall I learned a lot through this program and would recommend it strongly!

My time in Italy was one of the most amazing, life-changing, and enjoyable experiences I have ever had. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit Italy for the first time, especially since it was also my first time flying on an airplane. I loved how affordable the program was for everything that was included. We traveled throughout Central Italy, enjoyed amazing food and accommodations, and were guided by caring faculty and tour guides who truly wanted us to have the best experience possible. This trip gave me unforgettable memories, new friendships, and experiences that I will always be grateful for.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewOctober 09, 2026

Grazie, Samuel! We are so glad to hear this trip made such an impact on you, and we can't wait to hear about your plans moving forward!

I had an unforgettable time in Italy with Molise Italian Studies. It was my first time visiting a country outside of the United States, so I was a little worried at first. However, the program was so well run and smooth that I soon had no worries whatsoever. Our guide, Andrea, was excellent and our trip would not have been what it was without him. I would highly recommend Molise Italian Studies to any one who is interested in Italian culture, history, or exploring another country.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewOctober 09, 2026

Grazie Jay! We are glad you had a great trip and we passed along your gratitude to Andrea!

My study abroad experience to Italy was incredible. I had met so many new amazing people and new connections. Our tour guide, Andrea, was very helpful, patient, and kind throughout the whole trip. I am very grateful to be chosen to attend this trip.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewOctober 09, 2026

Grazie Luisana! We are glad you had a great trip and we passed along your gratitude to Andrea!

Heritage Greece had a profound impact on me, but the most meaningful part of the experience was the people I met along the way. Being surrounded by other young Greeks who shared similar values, ambitions, and a passion for their heritage allowed me to build genuine friendships and connections that I know will last for years to come. As the grandchild of Greek immigrants who came to Canada and often faced discrimination because they were different, I feel incredibly proud to carry on and celebrate the heritage they worked so hard to preserve. Heritage Greece reinforced that pride and showed me that being Greek is something to be celebrated openly and confidently.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewSeptember 12, 2026

Hi Taeah, thank you for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear that you found the Heritage Greece program to be impactful. We hope you can visit again soon!

I did the "Liberal Arts, Migration, & Social Change" track of Augsburg's CGEE program, and it was amazing. It doesn't require you speak to Spanish, but it has a robust Spanish-intensive with different levels so it's accessible regardless of fluency. It's also a great networking opportunity. You'll see a lot of guest lecturers from all kinds of careers (professors, journalists, philosophers, interpreters, community organizers, agricultural/environmental experts, etc.), and you'll get chances to interact with them and sometimes exchange contact info after their visits. For example, I want a career in writing, and I traded contacts with a journalist who spoke to us! The program also offers a few short, free volunteering opportunities that you can add to your resume (I did this and it helped me land my first internship as an ESL teacher's aide). Finally, the regular professors in the program are always willing/prepared to write letters of recommendation: One of whom is helping me publish my first academic paper that I initially wrote for her class. Finally, it was an amazing social experience. Every person I met there was super interesting, passionate and driven (but perhaps most importantly, just a really good hang) As for stuff to do, there's a ton of bars/clubs, museums, gardens/farms, and a nearby waterpark :D. Some of the stuff we did while I was there included kayaking, arts and crafts, gardening, hiking, museum tours, movie excursions, bowling, ice skating, karaoke, concerts, and bar/club crawls! I think you'd have a blast if you're interested in any of the following: Latin American studies, Community Organizing, Multi-media Art, Art History, Geopolitics, Anthropology, Spirituality/Religion, Biology/Ecology, Agriculture, Literature, Philosophy, Writing/Journalism, Social Work, & Dance. (take the dance class if you can!)

It is hard to write a short review for my time in Mexico because of how big of an experience it was-- not only because of how much I learned from professors and community members alike, but also from the sheer amount of fun and changes in perspective I was able to have in the short 4 months. Before I left for this study abroad experience I was terrified; I didn't know the language, or anyone else who was going, I had no frame of reference for what it was going to be like, and I was afraid that I would be so out of my comfort zone that I wouldn't have any fun. However, I felt right at home within the space that the professors and staff of Augsburg have worked so hard to create in order to make every student feel safe and welcome. There is a great emphasis on community and care for one another which can be felt through every aspect of this experience. Of course it was challenging at times, but the challenges were incredibly rewarding and allowed me to learn more about myself, others, and the world than I ever could have hoped (along with the help of my peers, who are now life long friends). I feel so lucky to have been a part of this program and hope that more students will take the leap and allow themselves to be cared for, inspired, and taught by everyone who works hard to make this such a special opportunity.

Had an incredible time. Didn't know what to expect since this program was new to me, but I absolutely loved it and would totally recommend it to anyone looking to study abroad. Met amazing people and made friendships even though I knew no one going into this. Would 100% go through this program again.

Studying abroad in Greece through CYA was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Living in Athens allowed me to experience everyday Greek life while exploring iconic landmarks like the Acropolis and discovering the neighborhoods such as Pagrati. One of my favorite memories was taking a field study to Thessaloniki, where we encountered pelicans on a boat tour and even had the chance to feed them by hand. I also loved traveling throughout Greece, trying authentic Greek food, and making lifelong friendships with students from around the world. This program helped me become more independent, confident, and open to new experiences, and I would encourage anyone considering studying abroad to take the opportunity.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewJuly 24, 2026

Hi Molly, thank you for sharing your experience with CYA! We are so happy to hear you were really able to make Athens your home and found your time learning and exploring in Greece to be unforgettable. Hopefully you can visit again soon!

My experience studying abroad in Molise Italy was absolutely life-changing. I learned so much about culture, made lifetime, friendships, and endless memories. Getting to experience the culture and beauty of Molise was the absolute highlight of my summer.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 21, 2026

Grazie, Breanna! Colli really is beautiful and it's such a great partnership!

Studying with SIT in Sevilla this summer has been a great experience, and I feel like that was thanks to the structure of the program. Most days, we had one lesson in a traditional classroom plus an additional lesson, activity, or tour out in the city later. Some focused on Sevilla’s history and culture, others gave us the opportunity to learn about social movements and meet with actual community organizers/leaders, while others focused on sustainability in the city.

SIT provides incredibly helpful and insightful staff who are there to help you through the journey. The excursions on this program and made to be fun and interesting while showing all sides of the city of Seville. The residence hall is top notch and allows for social opportunities to meet other students. Over all, Seville is beautiful and the program is a great international experience that gives you opportunities to grow socially and academically.

This program was incredible i would absolutely do it again and recommend it to others. It was eye opening and really solidified my passion towards urban sustainability and social justice and i met so many incredible people!

I'm so glad I went to Nepal for my study abroad semester. As an international studies major with a focus in religious studies, it was a great place to combine these two interests. I learned a lot about the geopolitics of the region and the fascinating religious landscape there. The highlight of the program was our excursion to Upper Mustang. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and I had the opportunity to engage with women in several different villages, talking to them about their experiences with Buddhism. I don't think I'll ever have an experience like that again. It was also lovely to live with my host family and meet local students! They were all some of the kindest people I've met. I am also grateful for the opportunity I had in the final month of the program to intern/volunteer with a women's organization in Kathmandu. I received a warm welcome, learned about the experiences of women in Nepal, and got to know some amazing women who have been working to support women and their rights for decades. The semester was definitely not without its challenges (it's difficult to be in a place where you're clearly an outsider for so long, and I had my fair share of the classic stomach issues), but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

The Molise Italian Studies program was a wonderful way to be immersed in the Molise region, some of the Puglia region, and Rome. By visiting some of the smaller, lesser-known areas in these regions, I got to see firsthand how people live, work, and support their communities through the activities and social work experiences. I can say I grew as a person and have a new outlook on my everyday life at home. It was evident that Italians in these regions value community and connection. I appreciated the opportunities to participate in activities at some of the agencies, such as at LAI and in Capracotta, rather than simply observing the activity. Our tour leader, Andrea, was kind, patient, organized, and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 05, 2026

Grazie, Maggie! We are so glad to hear this trip made such an impact on you, and we can't wait to hear about your plans moving forward!

I will never forget my time at CYA! We went on guided trips across the entirety of Greece, were completely immersed in the culture, received a great education, and created a sense of community thousands of miles away from home.

College Year in Athens responded to this reviewJuly 02, 2026

Hi Tori, thanks for sharing your experience with CYA! We love to hear that you were able to learn so much while traveling around Greece through our hands on program. We hope you can visit us again soon!