Housing & Meals

There are generally only a few CYA apartments in any given apartment building. The advantage of these accommodations over typical student dormitories is that you will have more opportunity to interact with your Greek neighbors and generally live like Athenians do.

A typical apartment houses four or five students (in 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 standard twin-sized beds, clima units (heating/cooling) in each bedroom and Wi-Fi Internet access. In addition, each student has the use of a desk with a locking drawer. 

Although there is space to store clothing and personal belongings, storage space is limited and we therefore advise you not to overpack. CYA provides a pillow, two blankets, and a bedspread for each student and bed. CYA also provides two sets of linens (pillowcases, bedsheets, towels) to each student.  Students are responsible for changing and laundering their linens.

Student housing is arranged by CYA. Accepted students should fill out the Housing Form as soon as possible; this form helps CYA staff match students with their roommates. While every effort is made to accommodate specific requests and placements, preferences cannot be guaranteed. CYA’s priority is to accommodate you in a safe environment which is conducive to learning and cultural immersion. For these reasons, CYA reserves the right to alter or change accommodation at any time.

Please note that student apartments are NOT available before Arrivals Day. Students who arrive early are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. 

CYA program fees include housekeeping services for each apartment once every 8 to 10 days. Students are nevertheless expected to keep common areas clean and in good order.

Two sets of linens (sheets and pillowcases, towels) as well as blankets are provided by CYA. Students are responsible for laundering of their linens.

Students are responsible for laundering their own clothing, sheets, and towels. Washers and dryers are available at the Academic Center, and apartments are equipped with drying racks for air-drying as well as irons and ironing boards.

The laundry facility in the CYA Academic Center has token-operated washers located in the basement. This facility is available when the Center is open, and tokens can be purchased from the Housing Director's Office. Tokens cost €3 for a wash (17 lb capacity) including the detergent, and €2 for a complete dryer cycle (approximately 1 hour), although most students opt to air-dry their clothes on the clothes-racks available in all apartments. 

A limited number of self-service laundromats are available in the area, and there are also many dry-cleaning establishments nearby that offer laundry service (wash/dry/fold). 

Heat, electricity, and water are included. However, students should be aware that Greeks are accustomed to conserving water and that North American homes would be considered overheated by Greek standards. Each apartment includes an electric water heater that must be switched on and off manually. More information on the safe use of the water heaters is included in the CYA Student Handbook.

Living side-by-side with Greek neighbors and their families is one of the benefits of CYA student housing. It is important to be a good neighbor, however, and CYA students who are accustomed to dormitory or student-apartment-complex living may need to make some adjustments. Being a good neighbor means being aware of noise levels at all times as well as respecting Greek social customs, including greeting neighbors in hallways and elevators and respecting the traditional “quiet hours” set by law (2 pm until 5 pm and 11 pm until 7 am).

There are five midday meals a week included at the CYA Academic Center. Due to this, you will be billed for quarter (1/4) board on your HC bill. Your other meals are your responsibility. If you receive any form of aid that covers the full meal plan cost at HC, it is still possible to receive the full aid monies to cover this cost, even though you are not billed for it. You should contact both the Office of Financial Aid and the Bursar's Office to inquire about this and ensure everything is in place that will still allow you to receive these funds. 

The included midday meals are offered Monday through Friday, except on overnight field trips and during holidays and recesses. The daily menu includes a vegetarian option, and special meals are prepared for those with allergies or dietary restrictions such as vegan or gluten free. On overnight field trips, breakfast at the hotel is provided instead of lunch. 

How much you spend on food outside of what is offered at the CYA Academic Center depends on your personal habits. Before you go, do some googling! Figure out the average prices for your favorite foods and make a plan.

For the average cost of food in Athens, check out the website Numbeo:

https://www.numbeo.com/