Study Abroad at The American College of Greece

Studying abroad in Athens Greece allowed me to pursue my ultimate dream of learning in a foreign country while also gaining so much experience of the cultural aspect of life it had to offer. I carried out research on International business and its transactions between countries while also meeting new people. I am still amazed by the wonderful opportunity and now, my endless dream to travel the world.

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The American College of Greece provided me a ton of information about the school, COVID-19 policies at the school as well as in Greece. They provided us transportation from the airport to campus when we arrived which was extremely helpful, as entering a new country was very anxiety-provoking. At one point during my semester abroad, I became very sick. The school was very helpful in providing me a doctor, making the appointment for me, coming with me to the appointment, and assisting me getting there and back. Overall, I would continue to tell people to study abroad in Greece at ACG.

I am a none traditional student. Taking a semester abroad was an incredible experience. I had never lived in another country. The American College of Greece provided a better experience than I could have imagined. Learning from excellent professors and getting to eat, sightsee, and play in a region of the world that has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years was an opportunity for a lifetime. I used my VA benefits for my classes and The American College of Greece made that process easy. I will return soon and I hope I can do it at The American College of Greece as a student in my graduate program.

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I always wanted to study abroad since before I started college. Due to COVID, my options became limited and I had to wait until the summer before my senior year. ACG was brought up to me by my college, which turned out to be a perfect fit for me as they had a ton of academic options for classes, and times throughout the year to go. Since I was limited in my class requirements and availability to go, I ended up going the for the first summer session. This was already a perfect fit as it allowed me to complete my psychology degree since they had the final two classes I needed for it. Overall, the academics were great at ACG. I loved going to my classes as the students, both international and Greek, were all extremely friendly and welcoming. The professors also wanted everyone to succeed and helped students where ever necessary. The classes were everyday, allowing for tons of material to be covered in a short amount of time. Outside of class, there was always time to explore the area, as the college was surrounded by tons of stores, food, residential areas, and hikes. I loved finishing classes and then going to eat amazing food with my roommates, going to study at nearby coffee shops, or going to explore other areas of Greece. The apartment complexes were also very close to the campus, with just a 10-15 minute walk to a beautiful campus. The apartment itself was very spacious, and allowed for people to meet a ton of other study abroad students! Transportation wise, it was very easy to call a cab, take the bus, or metro station. The college is about a 20-30 minute drive from central Athens, so it was very easy to get around and explore the places around us. Along with this, most people spoke English in Athens, making it very easy to communicate and explore Greece. I became extremely close with some of the girls I roomed with, we went on trips together, went downtown to Athens, and spent the time in Greece living our lives to the fullest. They were some of the best people that I met, and I still keep in contact with them, even living several thousands of miles away in the states. We also had opportunities to meet others through ACG and AIFS planned excursions to different parts of Greece. Here, I made so many more friends, and had the opportunities to explore parts of Greece that I never would have thought id visit. Through my program, I was able to visit the Parthenon, go to different cities, explore a new island, try new food, and experience true Greek culture. Outside of this, my friends and I took the weekends to take trips to Santorini, go to waterparks, downtown, and so many more amazing experiences. I also had opportunities to explore on my own, and took a day trip to Delphi, which was a bucket list item I didnt know I had, and I recommend anyone to look into it. On the last night of the program, I spent it with my closest friends going parasailing among the Greek farmlands and mountain side. We then went to go eat one last Greek meal in Monastiraki Sqaure in downtown Athens, with a beautiful view of the Parthenon. Overall, this experience was like no other, Greece became my home, my happy place. If you get the time, look up the meaning of "Meraki," this is a term special to Greece, and encapsulates how I feel about the experience, and about life after my time at ACG.

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Study abroad at ACG was one of the best experiences of my life, I felt that the classes were interesting but not too hard allowing me to really take the time to immerse myself in the culture and get to see Greece. The students at the college were so kind and enjoyable to talk to. The housing had a couple of issues with some leakage from showers but overall I would say it was very liveable and comfortable and being able to live with 12 ppl gave me the chance to make many friends. I enjoyed all of the activities that the program offered and the freedom they gave us to do all that we wanted while we were in this country. I felt that the RAs were very helpful in situations (got me a doctor appointment once when I very much needed it since I couldn’t speak the language)! Overall a great experience!

I’m my case and in many of my friends Greece wasn’t the first option at the moment of thinking about studying abroad but by far is the best decision. Their people, culture, places, and school is just amazing and would definitely mark a before and after.

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I thoroughly enjoyed my time at ACG. the professors were incredible and the people I met were also amazing. the excursions were an amazing opportunity to see more of the country, learn more about history and culture and meet people.

Saying this experience was amazing is an understatement. I remember anticipating my departure to Greece and being nervous for the experience. I found myself already anxious to return home. Once I arrived in Athens and met my roommates, my attitude changed. As the weeks flew by, I found myself happier than I have ever been and accompanied by people who taught me true lifelong friendship. We traveled to quaint and serene islands, visiting the church seen in the original Mama Mia movie, and even took a weekend trip to Paris! Although the travel was incredible, some of my best memories took place in day-to-day life at Deree. I remember waking up in the morning for my 11 a.m. creative writing class and stopping at the local bakery for coffee and a bagel along the way. I grew to know the owners of the bakery, and I would have meaningful conversations with them daily. I remember seeing the culture around me as I walked to class each day, and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the Greek students in my classes. As I soared through these five weeks abroad, I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations and dreams. Although I was nervous to embark on this journey, I would not trade it for the world.

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If I had to chose one word to describe my experience abroad it would be metamorphic. Through ACG, I submerged myself into a new culture with fellow students who wanted the same things as I did. I met people from all over the US who broadened my perspective on life back home and in Greece. My classes included a mixture of American students and students from Athens. I learned so much from sitting back and observing the interactions between the two groups. The Greek students were so welcoming and loved to tell us about which islands to visit and the top places to see in Athens. I enjoyed my teachers greatly and loved their teaching styles. You could tell they cared deeply about the students and were very interactive with us. I love the laid back Greek way of life and have learned to slow down and enjoy the time I have with the people around me. The placed the American students got to visit with ACG was amazing. I loved seeing all of the historical placed and the amazing food we were fed after each tour. Alice was an amazing leader and had so much fun with us. It was also a great bonding experience within the American group. As the time went on, my friendships with those around me strengthen to a level that I thought was only possible for a 10+ year friendship. I still talk to these people daily and enjoy keeping up with their lives at home. The roommate pairing was perfect and quickly became a close group to me. When I came home, my family and friends all noted how much I have changed. This experience gave me a new outlook on the world and how things function in other parts of the world. I understand others better and have integrated the laid back ways of Greece into my daily life. I would not have changed anything about the trip and would do it over again 1000X.

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When I first started college, I never in a million years thought that I'd get to visit Europe. And I'm not gonna lie, I was worried and scared and stressed-at first. It was my first time being outside a few hour's drive from my family, so everything was my responsibility. Visa applications, transportation from place to place, the airport system... But when I got to Greece, I can honestly say I had the time of my life. I made good friends with my roommates, took vacations ("50 euros to go to Rome this weekend?!"), partied, met local Athenians, ate AMAZING food, etc. etc. My personal favorite was the courses, particularly Archeology of Daily Life in Athens. I'm a History major, and there's nothing as spectacular as learning about something in class, taking a walk through town and Seeing the thing you were studying about right in front of you. Not only did I grow academically, I grew as a person. I used to be afraid of confrontation, afraid to do what I wanted because it might've been embarrassing. But when you're the only one responsible for your own health, safety, coursework, etc... you learn to take charge of your life. You learn to be you, because you're in Greece! So yeah, while there were some stressful experiences, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

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I will always remember my time in Greece. It was an amazing experience. First the negative stuff: I had some roomate/housing issues so I did have to move a couple time unfourtunetly And if you go I recommend requesting one of the dorms closer to campus. The one farther away is quite a far walk, the bunk beds are quite high (if it makes you anxious about falling off when you sleep, the heating/AC units make the air very dry, And it can be quite loud with 10 people late at night. If you request too be in one of the closer dorms it is a great experience. Myself, I got along with all four of my suitmates except for one. Unforuently it was my roomate which is where the moving situation came in. You can try to minimize this risk by requesting a single: You will still be with suitmates but if you don't get along with your one of them And they happen to be your roomate it might not be a dealbreaker. Of course you may not get it. Roomate situations are always a gamble though. Which is unfortunet. Ok, so now that I got the negative stuff out of the way, the good: It was a great experience. The academics are top notch and the university has a great reputation within Greece And internationally. The cultural excurions are great experiences especially Delphi was a surreal experience. I made good friends both within the University And from around Athens. After studying there I traveled around Greece for two weeks. It truly is an amazing place. During the semester I went to see thesselonki which was cool if cold. As for the food: It is hit or miss at the school. Some of the dishes are quite good both you will likly be eating most meals off campus. I recommend getting a main dish via wolt (it is cheap And good food) And making some side dishes via groceries. Speaking of food: It is really good. The nutritionist at ACG is top notch andI learned a ton from her. I also learned a ton by eating the food in Greece. Indeed, I significantly improved my cooking by the end of it And can now make some really great dishes. I recommend the resterant veganaki in Athens. Try the gourmet salad (olive oil instead of usual dressing) And Green Pizza. It truly is a one of the kind experience with excellent Vegan food. The sweet potato pizza is the best I have had in my life- so good I made my own version from scratch when I got home. Overall, though it was a life changing experience that I would do again in a minute. I can say that I miss Greece greatly. I may apply to a graduate program at ACG.

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AIFS did a great job planning us activities and sightseeing trips. They also allowed us plenty of free time to explore on our own. I felt very much integrated into the culture, and I made lifelong friendships with those who were studying abroad with me. The Greek atmosphere was lively and engaging and representing of its social culture.

Not only did I take courses that I felt advanced me educationally, but they also advanced me culturally. Particularly Dr. Klidas, he was very welcoming, knowledge full and open minded. The program allowed me to travel which is the only thing I know I want to do with my life as of now, getting that opportunity this past spring was life changing.

My time at the American College of Greece was absolutely incredible! Everyone at ACG was so helpful, from arriving at the airport, to concerns throughout the semester, to planning excursions around Greece! All of my professors were very kind and knowledgeable and accommodating. I lived in nice apartments right off campus with other study abroad students so it was very easy to make friends. There are so many things to do around Agia Paraskevi and Athens. The campus is absolutely stunning and there are lots of hiking trails nearby that I frequented. Athens really has it all - beaches, mountains, history, museums, restaurants, good public transportation, and an international airport that made it very easy for me to travel to 11 other countries throughout the semester! I highly recommend everyone take the opportunity to study abroad - particularly at ACG!

I had the best time in Greece. I was there for a 4 week study abroad and I would’ve stayed longer if I could’ve. Studying abroad offers so many great experiences. I met some of the best people and got to travel around the world. I also loved living among the locals and experiencing something very different from the US. My friends and I loved going to the Greek islands on weekends and relaxing on the gorgeous beaches. Classes were fun and taught in English. We met a lot of local people and got to check out pubs, street vendors, and everything else. The school also provided tours and excursions for an extra cost. I got to go scuba diving and visit the temple of Poseidon. The acropolis and city of Athens was a dream and it was so fun to go and enjoy the sunset on Mars hill. This is a trip I will never forget and hope to be back in Greece one day

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Studying abroad was a fantastic, culturally rich experience for me and I got to appreciate elements in my study abroad country that I don’t get to experience here in the United States! Plus, the program facilitators both at USF and ACG were welcoming and helpful. I truly recommend considering studying abroad to any country, but Athens, Greece was my version of an incredible study abroad experience.

I had a great 4 weeks at the American College of Greece this past summer. I wish I could have stayed longer! Everyone was super helpful when moving in and all throughout the month I was there. The planned programs and tours were amazing. It was awesome to see different parts of Greece with a tour guide. Experiencing the culture was something I will never forget. This study abroad experience makes me want to go back right away!

American College Greece in Athens was a fantastic place to study abroad for the summer! As an older student, and someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I was not sure if studying abroad would be for me. I was pleasantly surprised how welcoming everyone was there. I am a Theatre Major and ACG gave me the opportunity to study Theatre history in the birthplace of western theatre

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Studying at ACG I learned so much academically and personally. I met life-long friends and made amazing memories. The classes were very manageable, and the professor are really supportive of their students.

The American College of Greece is a school that every college student should have the opportunity to experience. As a sophomore in college, I was very excited to travel to Greece and learn about different cultures, while making new friends. Studying abroad was a goal of mine, and being able to live in Greece for a year is something I will never forget. The staff, locals, and foreign students made my time at ACG unforgettable. History and culture are the two most prominent areas I saw in Greece. The school has a fantastic program for their international students, and I have made lifelong friends because of this study abroad program. As a criminal justice student, I was able to learn a lot about Greek law and procedure, and it made me realize how big our world really is. I still keep in touch with a few of my Greek professors, and I really believe in the future I want to work with kids that are looking to study abroad. My study abroad advisor and deans in Boston really helped with getting me to Greece, and I want to be able to help others like me!

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