CYA - College Year in Athens
CYA has been offering study abroad opportunities in Greece for over 50 years. From archaeological digs to onsite courses to field trips (included in tuition), we encourage our students to actively engage with their course material. Starting with the view of the Acropolis through the Academic Center's floor-to-ceiling windows, students will be inspired to explore their environment and expand their world-view, returning home academically inspired, intellectually stimulated, and with a passionate commitment to the furtherance of international and intercultural understanding.
The CYA curriculum includes exciting courses in a wide range of academic disciplines (see below), focusing on European and East Mediterranean Area Studies, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, and Ancient Greek Studies. Courses are taught in English, though language courses are offered. The academic program is complemented by on-site courses and field trips to major historic and contemporary sites near Athens, along with study-travel to various parts of Greece and Europe (incorporated into tuition).
At CYA and Athens in general, students will walk--literally and figuratively--in the footsteps of some of the deepest thinkers in human history. In addition to offering diverse and exciting courses, CYA encourages students to become involved in extracurricular activities and explore on their own during weekends. Students are engaged academically but, beyond that, CYA helps them grow as global citizens and leaders.
Academic disciplines in the curriculum include:
*For detailed course information, including online syllabi, please visit our website
- Anthropology
- Art & Art History
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Business
- Classical Studies
- Communications
- Cultural Heritage
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- History
- International Relations
- Languages (Modern Greek, Ancient Greek, and Latin; all levels guaranteed)
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- Theater
- Urbanism & Sustainability
Academic Field Study: Students visit sites relevant to contemporary and historical Greece during 3 faculty-led trips each semester to locations such as the Peloponnese, Central Greece, Crete and Northern Greece (Thessaloniki). When students are not traveling, courses are taught at the CYA academic center in Athens or on-site.
Extracurricular Activities:
CYA provides and connects students with a number of extracurricular activities and internships/service learning. While we can help students find activities related to almost any interest area, some examples include:
- Workshops
- Athletic activities
- Lectures
- Greek dance
- Greek cooking
- Debates
- Forums
- Athens Marathon
- Annual Student Conference
Past examples of internships and volunteer opportunities:
- Refugee aid
- Soup kitchens
- Environmental groups
- Animal welfare
- Special needs education
- Education - English as a second language
- Education - kindergarten/elementary
- Film & theater
- Journalism
- Libraries, museums, art galleries
- Marketing & advertising
- Social Media/Digital Content Creation
- Economics
Language of Instruction: English
Duration: One semester or academic year
Student Body: Approximately 150 students per semester. Since 1962, over 10,000 students from more than 550 English-Speaking colleges and universities have studied at CYA!
Faculty:
Over 92 percent of CYA faculty hold doctorate degrees, and many are considered global leaders in their fields. See a complete list of our faculty, including bios and CVs, at this link.
Class Size: Language classes average around 10 students; all other classes average 15 students.
Housing & Meals: Students live in CYA apartments within residential buildings in the Pangrati neighborhood of central Athens. Apartments have WiFi and A/C, are furnished, and come with a common area, double and/or single rooms, an outdoor balcony, and an equipped kitchen. The safe and highly desirable neighborhood in which students live has grocery stores, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, banks, dry cleaning shops, and a weekly farmer's market, as well as many other amenities nearby. Apartments are a 2-10 minute walk from CYA's Academic Center and are centrally located to sites, monuments, and museums as well as bus, trolley and metro stops. Homestays are also available to students who wish to dive deeper into Greek culture and family lifestyle. Students stay in hotels while on trips. Lunch is provided Monday through Friday (except on holidays, and during recess) On academic field study breakfast is included instead of lunch.
Fees: Fees are quoted on our website. Program fees include:
- Tuition (four or five courses per semester)
- Housing
- Lunch Monday through Friday (except during field trips, holidays, and during recess)
- Academic Field Study (including entrance fees to sites and museums)
- Supplemental hospitalization insurance
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- Pre-departure guidance and materials (including webinars)
- Airport meet-and-assist services
- Orientation and acculturation activities
- Student support services
- Use of course materials during the semester (except Modern Greek Language books)
- Free internet access throughout the Academic Center and in student apartments
- Transcript sent to home institution and to student (unless you require a school of record transcript)
Contact Info
info@cyathens.org
617-868-8200