Summer Study Abroad in Greece with CYA

I participated in the EMPOWERED: Mental Health and Inclusion for Modern Learners summer program in Volos, Greece. This program was absolutely amazing. The course was four weeks long, and we stayed in rental apartments, which were very nice and had waterfront views. The course took place at the University of Thesally. The professors were very involved and tried to ensure that we had all the resources and information we needed to make the most of our time in Volos. We were able to take several trips as a class, ensuring we got to as much of Greece as possible. I also learned a lot. It was exciting to see the comparisons of different mental health initiatives across the globe. This course really allowed me to explore a new country, meet new people, and challenge myself to explore my identity. I recommend this course to anyone interested in pushing themselves to get out of their comfort zones and study in a foreign country.

I studied in Greece for 6 weeks in the summer of 2025. I took the course called The Strangeness of Ancient Greece with Professor Pitt. This course, along with the Professor, was some of the most intellectually stimulating and culturally significant class I’ve taken. The Professor did an amazing job teaching the class and keeping everyone engaged. Every class we had was on an archeological site where we would get an in depth tour of the area and told the historical significance. Although we only had 4 free days, we were given plenty of free time to explore and get to know our classmates and the city of Athens, or wherever our class had taken us for the day. I met so many new friends from all over the United States and we all got incredibly close during the program. I’m still in contact with some of them today! I couldn’t recommend this program more!

Studying with College Year in Athens was a beautiful opportunity. We were fully immersed in the culture as we stayed in apartments that were close to our class. The environment was always safe and welcoming. The staff was incredibly helpful and patient throughout all situations. Our professor was especially amazing. She had flexibility with her teaching. Whether that be pushing back class an hour so we could rest more or because we had a different interest in the topic, she was willing to make it work. She was the definition of a passionate professor. She was our first introduction to Greece and had briefed the class on places to visit. Additionally, I was able to expand my network by meeting other university students from across the United States. These connections helped me in establishing my post-graduate plans as I started to consider my peers' universities and their programs. I have grown in my education, and I'm excited to be bringing all my knowledge to my home university.