Adjusting to a new culture, unfamiliar language, different academic environment, and new roommates – all at the same time – can be daunting. Our friendly, experienced staff are committed to easing this transition and addressing any ongoing concerns.

Please rest assured that College Year in Athens strives to give students the best and safest study abroad experience possible.

CYA’s Executive Director of Student Affairs, Nadia Melinioti, has over 25 years experience of assisting students with personal growth and development as well as helping them find their own path to fulfillment while they are in Athens. She is dedicated to learning about each student’s unique needs, concerns, hobbies, and special interests and finding ways to accommodate these. Her duties include:

• Helping you with problems related to homesickness, getting along with peers, loneliness, a sense of inadequacy or just the day-to-day challenges of adapting to a new country.
• Referring you to specialist help in more serious cases.
• Offering you a wealth of suggestions and information if you would like to participate in intercultural activities, sports, volunteering, visits to monasteries, etc.

Counseling services are readily available to all CYA students. Private counseling sessions with a licensed psychologist are available at the Academic Centre once a month throughout the semester at specified days and times. The initial session held on CYA premises is free of charge to the student. Subsequent sessions may also be at no charge to the student if they are held during the above dates and times, provided that no other first-time appointments have been made for the same time period.