Greece: CYA Athens

• Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
• Clean record with the Office of Community Standards and good academic and College standing
• Professional application: materials are submitted on-time, are edited before submission, and are thorough and thoughtful.
• Minimum 2.7 GPA.
• CYA requires students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in their programs.
• This program has a required advising session (30 minutes) as part of the application process. Please visit our home page to schedule an advising appointment.

How to Apply

Fall 2023 (Tentative Dates)

• August 28-Semester Begins 
• December 15-Semester Ends 
• December 16-Apartments are available until noon

Spring 2023

• Jan 23: Required Arrival Date and Check-in
• Jan 24 - 26: Orientation 
• Jan 30: First Day of Classes 
• Mar 13 - 16: Midterm Exams
• Apr 7 - 17: Spring Break 
• May 15 – 18: Exam Period 
• May 19: Semester End Date 
• May 20: Program End Date/Departure (Apartment Check-out by noon)

Flight

You will be responsible for booking your own flight. Members of the CYA staff will be at the airport to greet you and guide you to a taxi that will take you to your CYA apartment.

Orientation

Each semester begins with an orientation period during which students are introduced to CYA's facilities, services, staff, academic procedures and policies, and safety procedures and policies. Students also receive an orientation on the city of Athens and Greece in general. Numerous planned activities provide the opportunity to get to know fellow students, as well as faculty and staff. During this period, students meet individually with the Director of Student Affairs and schedule a meeting with the Director of Academic Affairs to discuss their program of studies.

Visa

All U.S. citizens studying in Greece must obtain a student visa before departure. As part of your visa application, you must have an in-person appointment at a Greek consulate. This may involve travel time and additional expenses. For general information about the visa process and visas for non-U.S. citizens, see our Passports and Visas Page. 

CYA

The CYA Athens Academic Center is located in the heart of central Athens, next to the Marble Stadium and opposite the National Gardens, with a stunning view of the Acropolis. The Academic Center houses classrooms, the library, the student lounge, the dining hall, the computer lab, an auditorium, laundry facilities, and faculty and administrative offices. The Center is convenient to major historical sites, public transportation, and amenities such as shops and restaurants. Classes take place at the Academic Center as well as on-site both within Athens and on field trips. Student housing is located in residential neighborhoods within walking distance of the Academic Center. CYA Athens has permanent faculty, staff and administration in Athens overseeing all aspects of Academic and Student Affairs.

Courses

All CYA courses are taught in English and cover the following disciplines: Archaeology, Art History, Classical Languages, Environmental Studies, Ethnography, History, International Relations, Literature, Modern Greek Language, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion. These disciplines represents three academic areas: Ancient Greek Studies, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, and European and East Mediterranean Studies. Students can, and often do, take courses from all three areas.

CYA's wide-ranging curriculum incorporates study-travel to important historical sites through many, but not all, of its courses. As much as possible courses make use of the resources of Athens and of what can be seen or experienced directly in the city. Examples of past study-travel include locations relevant to ancient, Byzantine, or modern Greek history, such as Crete, the Peloponnese, and Central and Northern Greece. These trips are conducted by faculty and other experts who have special knowledge of the relevant sites and locales.

Modern Greek Language classes are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged. If you have taken Modern Greek before coming to Athens, CYA offers a range of language classes from Beginners II (second semester of first year) to Advanced II (second semester of third year).

All courses, unless otherwise noted, are worth 3 credit hours. In turn, students typically take 5 courses with CYA and earn a total of 15 Rollins credits.

CYA Courses (Fall)

CYA Courses (Spring) 

Bonner Students During Spring Semester

During the spring semester, CYA offers a course called Citizen, State & Society: A Service Learning Approach. The course examines the emergence of volunteer and social organizations in Greece that have become an integral part of political life, but are not commercial in nature nor part of the state. Students in this course will join such organizations as volunteers, devoting a minimum of 45hrs of service work during the semester. These volunteer experiences are integrated into the course. This course is open to ALL students, and can provide Bonner Leaders with community service hours that can be applied to their requirements here at Rollins. CYA is also happy to arrange volunteer placements for students who are either not enrolled in this course or who simply wish to become more involved. 

Transfer of Credit

Most classes at CYA, unless otherwise noted, are worth 3 credit hours each and students typically take 4 or 5 courses for a total of 12-15 credits. Students who successfully complete this program through Rollins will receive an official transcript from Southwestern University, which is the official School of Record for CYA. All courses on this program will appear on the Rollins transcript as transfer credit. Grades from this program will also appear on the Rollins transcript and will be factored into the Rollins GPA. It can take up to 3 months to receive the official transcript.

Housing

CYA students live in self-contained apartments in residential apartment buildings in the Kolonaki and Pangrati areas of Athens, which are situated a 10 - 20min walk from the Academic Center. You'll live within easy walking distance of grocery stores, cafes and restaurants, bakeries, dry-cleaning shops, banks, and other amenities. The advantage of these accommodations over typical student dormitories is that you'll have a greater opportunity to interact with locals and will generally live like Athenians do. A typical apartment houses four or five students (double and single rooms) and includes a common area, a kitchen (stocked with tableware and basic cooking equipment), bathroom and balcony. Apartments are simply but fully furnished, with air-conditioned bedrooms and WiFi Internet access. Apartments are equipped with laundry lines for air-drying, irons, and ironing boards.

Meals

CYA provides a mid-day meal on weekdays (Monday through Friday), except on holidays and during longer academic breaks, such as spring break. On overnight field trips, breakfast is customarily served in lieu of lunch.  For other meals, students typically purchase groceries and cook in their apartments, or eat at the many, wonderful local cafes and restaurants near the apartments and the program center.

Activities

Each semester CYA students are encouraged and given the chance to participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Some of these activities will enhance your understanding of Greek culture and help towards immersing you into the local culture. These activities might include debates, presentations or lectures on a variety of academic subjects, Greek dance, cooking lessons, hiking and climbing trips, a talent show, athletic activities, weekend skiing on Mt. Parnassos (spring semester), and running the marathon (fall semester). Through getting involved in outside activities many students find friends with similar interests, but most of all they have fun (please be aware that these activities may require supplemental fees). You're also encouraged to explore Athens and its rich cultural environment on your own. In the past, students have attended concerts in the Megaron Mousikis (Concert Hall), joined the Athens Singers, or painted in an Athenian artist's studio.

Volunteering & Service

Although volunteering and community service projects are not as established or as widespread in Greece as they are in the U.S., CYA is able to offer interested students a variety of opportunities. Please visit CYA's page on volunteering for more details.

Excursions

Academic field trips are an integral part of the CYA curriculum and bring students into direct contact with the people, landscape, history and civilization of Greece. Students visit major sites relevant to ancient, medieval or modern Greek history during substantial trips to the Peloponnese, Delphi and either Crete or Northern Greece - Thessaloniki. Itineraries vary between the fall and spring semesters and according to the academic focus of each group of students within the student body. These study-trips are conducted by faculty from a variety of disciplines and other experts who have extensive knowledge of the relevant sites and locales. You can also add on optional trips offered through CYA at a competitive price.

Things to Consider

Students with mobility disabilities may find accessibility and accommodations different from the United States. Check the US Department of State Travelers with Disabilities and specific to the country, Mobility International USA, and the IP Your Identity Abroad page for resources.

Program Fee

Most Rollins financial aid and scholarships will apply to the semester abroad.

• Tuition: $29,150
• Housing: $4,925

Also Includes

Orientation, lunch daily, study-travel, International Student Identity Card, airport meet and assist services, student support services, program administration, and emergency insurance.

Estimated Additional Costs

• Transportation: Round-trip airfare from FL: $1,200, onsite $630
• US Passport: $165
• Visa fee: $100 plus costs associated with travel to nearest Greek consulate for visa appointment
• Refundable Housing deposit: $230 (returned to student after program end)
• Additional meals/food not covered: $1,350
• Books, course materials, supplies: $150
• Personal expenses: $860
• Federal student loan fees if applicable: $40
• Professional licensure, certification or credentials costs: $0

Scholarships

Scholarships based on financial need are available to off-set costs associated with international airfare and other costs associated with study abroad. Students can apply for scholarships through the Rollins program application. Students can also apply for additional scholarships through the CYA website.

Living and Working

Having a credit card while abroad is very helpful. Greece has a low cost of living compared to the United States.