Between my junior and senior years in college, I was able to study abroad at College Year in Athens (CYA). Of course, competing in college athletics can make studying abroad difficult, so I was extremely excited to travel to Greece for even one course that summer.
Upon arriving, I did not really know what to expect.
Being Greek-American, there were times that my classmates came to me with what to them, were "silly" questions about how to do this or that in Greece. The hard truth was that I was unsure about many things myself. And of course, while CYA gave us a plethora information and guidance, it is always hard to feel sure of yourself in a foreign country. There were days I wished I had a local friend to call and ask questions to, especially if I was nervous about a night out (and I did not want to worry my parents with that kind of a phone call).
Now, back to the class. My cohort was wonderful; we had about ten girls total, and an amazing, kind professor. The course was “Travel Writing in Greece,” where we traveled around Athens, Epidaurus, Nafplio, and island of Poros. As the focus of the course was to learn how to write about travel and experience, the key factors were the following: travel and experience Greece!
CYA has been around for many years now, and its community of alumni indicates how impactful the program has been on its students. As my course was just about three weeks long, I wish I could have stayed long for a full semester experience, as the travel and bonding with classmates was cut short for me.
Nonetheless, several experiences stand out in my memory. The first was at our short stop in Epidaurus, where we of course visited the ancient theater. This stunning amphitheater is known for its acoustics. Thankfully, a girl in our class had an amazing singing voice, so we were able to test it out ourselves. Sure enough, the sound was heard equally from the first row to the last!
The next memory is from Nafplio. Nafplio is an amazing, enchanting city. Actually, Nafplio was the first modern capital of Greece when it regained freedom, from 1823-1834, before the capital of Greece returned to Athens. The locals (as in all Greek towns) are unique, kind, and hospitable.
During our two days in the town of Nafplio, we were tasked with interviewing a local about any subject and writing a summary of our interview. The woman I met was the waitress at a cute, quiet café. She told me about her dancing and acting aspirations (she is very talented) and spoke about the what the American Dream means to her. While speaking some Greek and some English between the two of us was not easy, the conversation has stuck with me since.
My last (and favorite) memory is that of my cohort. While I have not kept up with everyone from that summer, a few of us have checked in periodically. Regardless, the days and nights of laughter, exploration, and vulnerability are hard to forget. Nights in Athens, days in the town and in the class, and trips across Greece- it was an unforgettable experience. Our professor was an amazing woman, she listened to all of us with such an open mind and heart, doing her best to help us grow as travelers, writers, and women.
And living in Athens now, whenever I pass by the College Year in Athens building, it always brings a smile to my face!
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