Study Urban & Regional Planning Abroad

This summer I joined Green Building Solutions (GBS) in Vienna, and it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences I've had. The topics that stayed with me most were energy modeling, life cycle assessment, and parametric design with Grasshopper and Ladybug. I work with LCA every day in certification projects, so going deeper into the method with people who teach and practice it was exactly what I was hoping for. The site visits were a real highlight. We walked through actual projects and had honest conversations with the people behind them, which no textbook or software tutorial can give you. The organizers made everything easy. The accommodation was great, everything ran on time, and the evening sports were a nice way to get to know the group. Thank you to the GBS team and everyone I met there. I'm bringing a lot of this back to my work in Cairo.

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!

My time in Barcelona was one of the best experiences in my life. Out of all the cities I visited when I was abroad, Barcelona was by far my favorite and I was always so excited to come back from traveling. I loved the people, the metro, the city, and the beach. There was always something going on to have the best time of your life.

My time in Rome with CEA was the most amazing summer of my life. I came into the program knowing no one; I had no family in Rome, and I didn't speak Italian. But as soon as I met my roommates, we clicked right away and became the best of friends! Living together was so much fun; we'd do grocery runs whenever we needed food, which was the easiest supply run I have ever done since the grocery stores around our apartment were maybe two minutes away in each direction. We'd go out to dinner, trying local Roman pasta like Rigatoni all'Amatriciana, which became a favorite amongst our group; we'd get gelato practically every night! We even traveled together while we were there, heading off to different countries on the weekends when we found the time! Our group meshed so incredibly well and I had the time of my life with them. The memories we made are some of my most precious; we watched Off Campus together, shouting at the screen when someone did something wrong; we walked to the Colosseum in the middle of the night just because we wanted to see the sights; we watched FIFA on the Tiber River banks with other tourists and locals. It was so great that now it feels like a dream. The travel around Italy was so incredibly easy! Flying out of Fiumicino Airport took no time whatsoever when you were traveling within the EU and was incredibly easy to get to from our apartment in Prati. I got really used to taking public transport while I was there, and though it was intimidating at first, it was so easy after I got used to it. Taking the A line to Termini and the train to the airport was honestly a fun experience. I had a great time exploring the transportation options in Rome. Lastly, the administration in Rome for CEA CAPA was absolutely incredible! They made us all feel so welcome and were very conscientious of our needs, always making themselves available if we needed them! The professors were wonderful as well! My Art and Archaeology professor and Photography professor were incredible women and very skilled in their chosen disciplines! They took us across Rome to study sites and help us hone our skills to become better acquainted with history and photography. It was incredible to actually go into the Roman Forum and the Colosseum to study their history! My time in Rome was honestly the best time! I grew so much in confidence as I learned to live comfortably in a new culture. Everything from the academics to the lifestyle of the city was incredible and I can't wait to go back!

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!

Forum-Nexus was an amazing experience. I made many new friends, enjoyed the professional and cultural visits, and loved the balance between school and fun. The staff was amazing, and I would definitely recommend it.

My experience studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Barcelona was truly amazing. I had high expectations going into the program, and they were completely exceeded. My apartment was in a great neighborhood that felt extremely safe while still giving me an authentic, local experience. It was also close to everything, which made it so easy to walk around and explore the city every day. I also had a great experience with my classes. My professors were extremely understanding and supportive, which made balancing academics with everything else that comes with studying abroad much easier. The CEA CAPA staff was incredibly welcoming and played such a big role in making my experience as great as it was. They offered so many activities, events, and opportunities that helped me meet people, experience Barcelona, and feel comfortable living in a city so far from home. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful I chose to do it through CEA CAPA. I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad!

Leaving to study abroad in Barcelona was my first time ever leaving the country and exploring a new culture. I could not be more grateful for choosing CIS Abroad for such an amazing experience. From the very beginning, the CIS Abroad staff helped me prepare for the experience of a lifetime with genuine care, guidance, and support. That support continued throughout my time abroad. CIS Abroad made me feel safe by providing comprehensive resources for students, including access to therapy, medical care, and additional support whenever we were sick or needed assistance. Barcelona quickly became my second home, and studying abroad was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I grew personally and professionally, and created memories that I will carry with me forever.

Living and studying in Barcelona for four months was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The city itself is beautiful and full of live. I love how everywhere is walkable and you can get anywhere using the metro. There's so so much to do whether it's going to the beach, out for tapas, hiking in the surrounding mountains, shopping, or having a night out, Barcelona really is for everyone. CEA CAPA made my experience so smooth from start to finish.

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.

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.

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.

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 had such a great time, the program leaders were super helpful with living situations adjusting to the different aspects here and all my professors were awesome. They all cared a lot about the courses and wanted me to succeed and do better! They excursions that they provide are also super fun and you should go on as many as possible.

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!