The Pros & Cons of Summer Study Abroad in Greece

Life will be smooooth sailing with Greece study abroad

Learn how to study abroad in Greece in the summer. Study abroad can change your life. All the more so if you choose Greece, the “Land of Gods,” as your host country. Greece is where history comes alive—and where you get the chance to experience the unique perspective of living amongst the subjects of your studies! 

You'll love the laid-back Mediterranean style of life, the mouthwatering local delicacies (#SecondHelpingsOfBaklava), and the vibrant cultural presence in Athens and beyond. This is your once in a lifetime opportunity to enhance your academic experience, expand your perspectives, explore a rich culture, grow as an individual, and have fun. 

This is your chance to experience summer study abroad in Greece!

One of the most common dilemmas for students is whether they can commit to a full semester of living and studying in another country. Thankfully, there are summer sessions on offer, too! Exciting, right? 

To help you decide whether this is the right option for you, here are some of the pros and cons of summer study abroad in Greece.

The perks of summer study abroad in Greece

Read these studying abroad in Greece tips to help make the most of your summer term abroad.

Let us introduce you to our favorite color—Santorini Blue

1. Courses let you explore!

Whether it’s the city of Athens or a small Greek island, most summer courses base their learning outside the classroom, so be prepared for some serious exploring. This ain’t your mother’s research course abroad. This is hands on and experiential, and gets your nose out of the books and into the sites. Nothing quite like making history come to life, huh? 

2. Many opportunities to work on an excavation.

If you’re the Indiana Jones type, this is your big chance to get yo’ hands dirty and really dig into the subject of archaeology! Excavation projects are a great learning experience—hang outside all day, use your hands and tools to discover cool stuff, learn more about humans and our history. An enlightened perspective makes a pretty great souvenir, after all—and where better to nab your own than by pushing your comfort zone and participating in an archaeological dig in Greece!

[Browse ALL Summer Study Abroad Programs in Greece]

3. Island visits—not optional.

We know it sounds rough, but many classes take students to a Greek island as an excursion. Poor summer study abroad students in Greece, right? WRONG. Whether your course is on writing, the Greek language, psychology, or archaeology, the Greek islands can offer an incredible learning environment—not to mention the world-famous beaches! Beyond photo ops and delicious seafood, you’ll explore Greek culture from a new lens (and likely a pretty sweet view, too). 

Specialize in... capturing gorgeous sunset photos?

4. You can specialize!

If you sometimes wish you could deepen your knowledge on a single subject, this is your chance to do exactly that. Summer sessions in Greece can offer a distraction-free, intensive learning experience in specialized courses. 

Want to taste a bit more? Consider taking multiple classes and knocking out more credits. The choice is yours!

5. BFFs.

Many summer courses in Greece admit a limited number of students who stay together almost 24/7! Your Big Fat Greek Friendships will be sprouting in no time. The instant community given by summer study abroad programs in Greece make all the difference in the world. You *need* someone to taste test all those olives with, no!? And the more important stuff too—like adventure buddies and a person to help you get through feelings of homesickness, too.

Having class with others united by their shared interest in the same subject while exploring a new country together is the best way to make friends for life!

6. Lots & lots of sunshine.

It’s no secret that sunlight can make you happier, and Greek summers have a LOT of it! Don’t worry, you can buy an adorable beach hat after your land in-country for your EPIC summer study abroad in Greece.

[The Best Subjects to Study in Greece for International Students]

7. The culture is fascinating.

Greece is a country home to a richness hard to describe. Here, you will find beautiful sun- bleached historic ruins, vibrant blue skies and an endless coastline, delicious cuisine, and a passionate, generous culture. You’ll get to know the country that brought the world the Marathon, ancient myths, stories, and legends, feta cheese, and an entire church denomination. Walk in the footsteps of Plato, Aristotle, and... Tommy Lee. Eat pappous’ extra diples and sit under the shade of an olive tree. This is your best summer yet.

The drawbacks of studying abroad in Greece in the summer

The view from Mount Lycabettus overlooking Athens, the Aegean Sea, & the 3000 year old Acropolis

Not every day of summer study abroad in Greece is blue skies and blue seas. Here are the potential cons you need to come to terms with:

1. It’s H-O-T!

Greece is famous for its hot sunny days. With temperatures ranging from 72°F to 90°F, you’re going to want to leave your parka at home. Trust us—if you have one of those brains that just shuts down in the heat, the Greek summer is not for you!

2. There are fewer course options.

As a semester student in Greece, you generally would have a greater variety of courses to choose from. You can take all kinds of classes, like languages and history and business and so on. And while you will still have different options, you’ll generally focus on one specific topic in the summer. (^^ The specializing thing, remember?!). The list of courses for summer study abroad in Greece is still fascinating, but shorter.

[7 Reasons Why Studying in Greece is DEFINITELY For You]

3. You might not see EVERYTHING that you want to see.

This country is a world unto itself—spending a summer session in Greece, as compared to a full semester or year abroad, may leave you with a burning desire to come back. Nothing wrong with planning return trips though, eh?!

Even with the potential drawbacks, summer study abroad in Greece is tough to beat.

4. The experience can feel intense and fast-paced!

During summer study abroad programs in Greece, you’re moving quickly even though Greece’s pace is famously slow. This type of study-travel is not for everyone. While spending a semester abroad will allow you to truly ease into Greek life, having a limited time of four to eight weeks may feel a little too intensive for some. 

If you are interested in a slower-paced study abroad experience, a semester or year-long program might be a better fit for you. Since you only have a few weeks to see and do (and eat) as much as you can, you really have to hit the ground running from day 1. 

This could mean that there's not sufficient enough time for you to relax and read books or muse the meaning of life. 

Next steps to study abroad in Greece

Don't pack your salad mixins juuuust yet. There are a few items on your summer study abroad in Greece to-do list you should check off first.

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where to study abroad in Greece for the summer isn’t easy. The gorgeous islands? Somewhere in Athens? Don't let anything hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Your major courses or something more fun and experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your major back home (though it never hurts to knock out some credits towards graduation). Look at your course options and decide what combination of required classes and just-for-fun-or-because-you-want-to-learn-it classes are out there. Choose from literature, the sciences, education, psychology, and more!
• Choose from the best study abroad programs in Greece. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between study abroad programs. 
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Check out scholarships for study abroad in Greece too!
• Talk to your home university. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your home university requires. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your university to see what choices are available to you.

Hellas, yeah! Meet us in Greece next summer?!

Follow our studying abroad in Greece tips & you're guaranteed to have the time of your life.

If you think summer study abroad is up your alley, you’re not alone. Join thousands of other intrepid, adventurous students and get your butt to Athens, Thessaloniki, or one of the hundreds of Greek islands to find your spíti away from spíti. Pack your sunscreen, your shades, your cultural curiosity, and your appetite for adventure—study in Greece next summer!

Get Matched with 5 Summer Study Abroad Programs in Greece for FREE

This article was written with support from CYA (College Year in Athens). CYA is a not-for-profit educational institution that has been acting as a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and Greece. Established in 1962, CYA was the first study-abroad program in Greece for English-speaking undergraduates. It offers academic semester/year study abroad programs that embrace the vibrant experience of day-to-day contact with the people, institutions, monuments and landscape of Greece and the Mediterranean.