Location: Athens, the capital of Greece, is a bustling city that has a dynamic atmosphere architecturally, artistically, historically, and culturally with Mediterranean ties to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The city itself juxtaposes ancient Greek ruins with a modern city.
Academic disciplines in the curriculum include:
*For detailed course information, including online syllabi, please visit our website
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art History
- Biology
- Business
- Classics
- Communication
- Computer Information Systems
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- History
- Information Science
- International Relations
- Literature
- Modern Greek Language
- Neuroscience
- Political Science
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- Theater
- Urbanism/Sustainability
Academic Field Study: Students visit sites relevant to contemporary and historical Greece during three faculty-led trips each semester. In Fall 2025, CYA is launching a new and exciting Field Study Abroad to two major European destinations where students will be able to experience the wider European geographical, political and historical context of Greece. 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
- Medical Shadowing (Doctors, Dentists, Surgeons, etc.)
- Lab and Research Opportunities
- Economics
Language of Instruction: English
Duration: One semester or academic year
Student Body: Approximately 200 students per semester. Since 1962, over 11,000 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 20 students.
Housing: 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.
Meals: Lunch is provided Monday through Friday (except on holidays, and during recess) On academic field study breakfast is included instead of lunch.
Fees: Check with your school regarding the cost of the program. 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
- 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)
“Studying abroad with CYA was truly an experience like no other and is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Spending a semester abroad comes with a wide range of benefits, such as making new friends, experiencing different cultures, cultivating a sense of independence, and learning how to multitask many elements of life. Greek culture is like no other, and made my study abroad experience feel very unique compared to what it would've been like to study in another European city. Ultimately, studying abroad at CYA is an experience I would do again 100 times if I had the chance, as it has allowed me to grow so much as a person and has given me people and memories I will never forget.” Mia Iannios, George Washington University, Fall 2023
CYA also offers Summer, Winter, and Post-Baccalaureate programs. To find out more, visit our
website.
More Questions? Check out our website or email us at info@cyathens.org
Academic Program
- Students take a full-time course load of between 4-5 program courses to earn 4-5 Pomona credits per semester.
- Students enroll in two required courses:
- Ancient or Modern Greek language (1 Pomona credit)
- Aegean and Ancient Greek Art and Archaeology (1 Pomona credit)
- Students enroll in up to three additional electives from the CYA curriculum (1 Pomona credit each).
- There is no CR/NC option on this program.
The courses are organized into two levels. Three-hundred-level courses are open to all students. Some three-hundred-level courses are designed for students who have some background in the subject and most are of general interest. Four-hundred-level courses are seminars on special topics for students who are able to engage in more advanced work with research-oriented assignments.
Instruction in the classes for beginning archaeology students is divided between classroom sessions and instruction at sites and in museums around Athens. All students participate in field trips to important archaeological and historical sites in Greece, including the Peloponnese, central Greece, and Crete. During the academic field trips conducted as part of the Aegean and Ancient Greek Art and Archaeology course, students are expected to attend lectures, complete assignments and/or give oral reports. The grade for the Art & Archaeology course includes work performed both in class and during the field trips.
| CYA Credits |
Pomona Credits |
| 1 |
1 |
Living Arrangements
Students live in furnished CYA apartments in the Pangrati neighborhood along with other CYA students. A buffet lunch is provided daily at the CYA dining facility Monday through Friday, and a full breakfast in lieu of lunch is provided on overnight field trips. Pomona provides a meal allowance for breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and for all weekend meals. Meals are not provided during fall or spring break. A limited number of homestays may also be available.
Host Institution
College Year in Athens
Faculty Liaison
Richard McKirahan (on leave Spring 2025)
Ben Keim
Eligibility
Preference will be given to candidates who have completed college coursework with European content.
Student Experiences
Read about Arianna Chen's (PO'19) experience in Athens!
Travel Advisories
