Miss Jennifer Frank based on your experience with CYA, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester or summer abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

My semester abroad in Greece has greatly enriched my personal and educational experience, giving me insight about new cultures and a greater sense of independence. I was able to engage with locals, speaking the language, and learn about living in a new country. As a CYA student, I was truly able to experience the incredible opportunities that Greece has to offer.

What advice do you have for prospective students who are interested in or planning to study abroad with CYA?

I am so happy I decided to study abroad with CYA, so if you are at all considering it, go for it. I decided to go abroad with CYA just three weeks before the beginning of the semester, as my college decided to go fully online due to Covid-19. This last minute decision is one of the best decisions I’ve made. Be open to new experiences, be flexible, engage with the locals, and take advantage of every opportunity. Spend your free time exploring Greece and try all of the different foods!

How was the political climate in Greece different from what are you used to? If applicable, describe a time when you had to navigate a political conversation during your time abroad.

I was in Greece during the 2020 presidential election. It was my first time voting, which was exciting on its own. I was particularly interested in how the dialogue around the US election was so prominent in Greece, both on the news and in discussions with Greeks. The political climate was not too different as far as I witnessed, but it was interesting to see the politics and different government policies around the coronavirus lockdown in Greece as compared to the situation in the United States.

Please select any of the following that apply to you, and that you would be willing to share about your CYA experience with other students:

Gap Year Student

Briefly describe a cultural experience you had that was significant to you in any way.

We lived right near Kekkos, a cafe in Pangrati. The owner, Dimitris, was so personable and made us all feel incredibly welcome. I remember having an omelette one morning in the cafe, and my roommate and I were working with Dimitris as he was learning Spanish vocab. This language exchange really stuck with me.

Favorite food in Greece?

Lamb chops!

Favorite class you took at CYA?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I recommend that everyone take Modern Greek! It allowed me to better communicate with the locals and navigate the city.