The Athens Experience  

By:  Karis Mulcahy 

My introduction to Athens, Greece was at a hostel tucked into a side street, as though it was hiding from the rest of the city. Since my study abroad experience through College Year in Athens (CYA) did not start for another day, I spent my first night in Athens with five strangers in a strange room in this strange city. After going through my personal odyssey to find my room for the night, I was promptly told to shut up by my bunkmate.  

This brutal introduction to Athens sent me fleeing for the roof of the hostel, which doubled as a rooftop bar. Stepping out into the warm atmosphere of Greece in September, I nearly fell 10 stories off the roof after seeing the view. The Acropolis of Athens, one of the most famous archeological sites in the world, dwarfed everything else in the city. Lit up against the night sky, the columns that have stood for centuries took my breath away. I was so distracted by my surroundings I almost did not notice my bunkmate had joined me at the rooftop bar to apologize for her grumpiness after waking up.  

After a restless night of anticipating my introduction to CYA, I was finally on my way to my study abroad program. Only a 15-minute walk from the Acropolis, I found the CYA classroom buildings in the shadow of the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic games that has stood since the second century. After spending time wonderstruck at the historical site I would attend classes next to, I finally began my CYA experience.  

CYA staff took me in and gave me everything I could need to survive Athens. From apartment keys to an overview of helpful Greek words, CYA makes sure to give students all they need to fully appreciate their brief semester in Greece and immerse themselves in the culture. Since classes are taught in English, students do not have to worry about a language barrier within the classroom, with the exception of Greek and Latin language classes. Student apartments are in the Pagrati neighborhood, a short walk from classroom buildings. By living in the up-and-coming Pagrati neighborhood, students are in walking distance of the best gyro places, outdoor cinemas and more than can possibly be explored in a semester. Most notably the cafe Kekkos, down the street from CYA classroom buildings, is a must-visit for CYA students for its welcoming atmosphere  

For further places to visit, students can purchase bus and metro passes at the kiosk outside CYA classroom buildings. This allows students to take the metro from the nearest stop, Syntagma, to nearly everywhere. Most notably, the neighborhood Monastiraki, which offers thrifting and nightlife for students to enjoy. While Athens lacks a metro line to the beach, the buses make up for it. After a 20-minute bus ride, students can take advantage of the warm climate and enjoy a Greek beach for no extra cost.  

Since CYA does not schedule classes on Fridays, students have plenty of time to explore the city, and beyond, after their four-day school week. While I cherish the time I spent in Athens, I do not regret weekend getaways to the Greek islands. One of my best weekends abroad was spent with my CYA roommates on Santorini. The Greek islands are a short plane ride or a slightly longer ferry ride away. All have their own unique charms and sites, Santorini specifically had gorgeous beaches and dormant volcanoes to swim in, allowing tourists to take advantage of the summery weather of Greece that lasts through October.  

For their part, CYA works hard to ensure students can see as much of Greece as possible. The CYA program includes field studies that take students around the country to experience educational archeological sites and museums as well as less educational nights in bustling cities. The mandatory field studies are included in the program, allowing students methods of travel and accommodation at no extra cost. It was through a mandatory field study that I was able to experience the island of Crete. On Crete, I had the privilege of experiencing the palace of Knossos, the archeological site that inspired the legendary tale of the Minotaur, as well as the nightlife of the lively city Heraklion.  

Beyond being immersed in the welcoming Greek culture and surrounded by archeological sites, CYA offers a chance for students to form and strengthen connections with students from across the United States. Despite different backgrounds and hometown locations, a shared interest in travel and new experiences can create lasting friendships.