Keeping Our Students Safe, Happy & Healthy

CYA has always placed the safety and welfare of its students first. We have an experienced staff and have developed procedures to handle virtually any situation that our students may encounter.

The following is a list of procedures in place at CYA to keep our students safe and healthy:

  • We expect our students to attend all their classes and any absences are noted. All semester students are required to have a mobile phone with a Greek number for the duration of their enrollment so that we can contact them in case of emergency. Those without a mobile phone of their own may obtain one from any number of cell phone service providers in Athens.
  • CYA has in place a system which updates and issues necessary warnings to students via SMS messaging, web-based messaging, mass emails, and direct phone calls.
  • Our Student Affairs Officer keeps close contact with students  experiencing physical or psychological difficulties.
  • CYA receives communication from the U.S. Embassy in Athens regarding warnings, alerts, and travel safety announcements. Using information from both the U.S. Embassy (Athens) and local websites, CYA is able to inform students of demonstrations or strikes that may affect their daily routines or weekend travel.
  • Contingency plans (in the event of a serious emergency) are regularly reviewed, and a member of the administration is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help with emergencies.

Please be assured that College Year in Athens strives to give students the best and safest study abroad experience possible.

Health & Insurance

Semester fees include enrollment in a health insurance plan by CISI as well as a supplementary hospitalization insurance plan with Generali Insurance Company.  Both insurance plans are in effect for their period of study in Greece.

In addition, CYA maintains a list of English-speaking doctors (also found in the Student Handbook) and can recommend specialists. There is a 24-hour medical service for house calls, and in more serious cases, there are two excellent private hospitals in close proximity to CYA, with English-speaking doctors, nurses and staff. Students should report all illnesses to the Student Affairs Office.

Students interested in additional coverage should investigate whether family or home institution policies will apply while they are in Greece.

Summer fees do NOT include enrollment in health insurance. Students must ensure that they carry adequate health insurance either through their home institution or their family.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our North American office ([email protected]) or our Academic Center in Athens ([email protected]).