Dear Samantha Kestler, 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?

The benefits of studying abroad are that you get to meet new people, gain new experiences, and learn about a different culture by experiencing it firsthand. I feel that studying abroad has contributed to my gain of confidence, my academic ideas, and I feel like I know more about what I want to do in life because of being here in Greece.

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

My advice is "Do it". Honestly, nothing should hold you back from doing this program. You will not be behind in your classes and you will enjoy every second that you are here, because once your gone, you will miss it and want to come back. I wish I knew that studying abroad was a great opportunity sooner because I would have stayed here for more than one semester.

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 feel that the political climate here is not so "in your face". Maybe it is just me, but I have to actively search to find political ads here. There are also planned protests so it makes it really easy to stay away from protests when you know that they are going to happen at a certain location at a certain time.

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:

LGBTQ student
Mental health while abroad

Favorite food in Greece?

Tzatziki!

Favorite class you took at CYA?

Gender and Sexuality in Modern Greece

Favorite quote from abroad?

"There are two things that matter this semester: sculpture and feta!" -one of my professors