Study Abroad in Athens, Greece with WorldStrides

I know everybody says that studying abroad changed their life, and now I understand why. While I was in Athens, I was so taken out of my regular routine that I was able to reflect on the ways I was living my life. Now, back in the US, I'm so much more intentional with how I spend my time. The perspective gained from living in Athens is worth every risk I took studying abroad there. There's so much to do and explore that I never felt bored or tied down to a certain routine, which was an amazing way for me to get out of my comfort zone. Transportation was really cheap and easy to understand (after a few weeks of practice), which made traveling in Greece and to other countries very convenient. The professors at the American College of Greece were extremely kind and welcoming to study abroad students, and they were eager to answer any questions I had. The grading scale is a little wonky in Greece - your entire class grade is mostly made up of your final and midterm tests. The Greek students were pretty laid-back in my experience and asked questions less frequently than we do here. The WorldStrides excursions were one of my favorite parts of studying abroad in Greece. They were all included in the program and all amazing! We visited Hydra, Meteora, and many other fascinating parts of Greece that I wouldn't have known to explore without WorldStrides. Long story short, go to Athens!

My time studying in Athens was unparalleled. At first, the environment seemed hostile and unwelcoming, but that all comes with the sole purpose of studying across the world; these things that are foreign to you soon start to feel like home. The small, uneven sidewalks, the fact that pedestrians don't have the right of way, and the hospitality culture are all different from what I experienced in America, but I got used to them as time went on. One thing I loved was the liveliness of downtown Athens, which was only a 20-minute metro ride from my campus building. I was lucky enough to experience parts of the bustling city as well as the peace of Agia Paraskevi, where my school was located. I loved that my program offered things that both abroad and local students could participate in, like pottery classes or intramural sports. My program also allowed us to immerse ourselves in the history of Athens through tours of the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and overnight trips to Meteora with fellow abroad students. One minor thing I wasn't expecting was the amount of money I would spend on laundry. I ended up spending almost 8 euros on one load of laundry, and even sometimes had to hang dry my clothes (this was expected, going to Europe, but I didn't know it would cost so much). A pro of my living situation was how the buildings were somewhat newly renovated and came fully stocked with most kitchen utensils and things we needed. The rooms and living spaces were fairly spacious; however, you will most likely be sleeping in a bunk bed, whether you have a shared room or a single. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and many other essential local amenities are all within a 5-minute walk from student housing. I visited my favorite coffee shop, Dimellos, every morning on my walk to class and quickly became friends with the store owner. Everyone is so friendly, and I always saw a familiar face, whether it was walking to class or out at night, and it fostered a sense of community. Travelling was made easy and became second nature the more you did it. These are some things that made my time abroad so memorable, and if you are unsure where to study, you should consider Athens, Greece, as it was not originally an option for me, but now I see it as my second home.

I cannot emphasize enough if you are even slightly considering going abroad- DO IT. The program in Athens, Greece was truly a remarkable experience. I was a little nervous to go to a country that uses a completely different alphabet & is very culturally different than America, however looking back I can't see myself studying anywhere else. My courses taught by Greek professors were super engaging & I will never forget the relationships I built with my professors & peers. Also making friends in this program was super easy- everyone who participates in ISA meets each other through program-sponsored events as soon as the first day you are in Greece. The cultural immersion experiences organized by the program were amazing- we took Greek cooking & dance classes (and even got to go on an overnight trip to the Meteora monasteries in Greece!) Everything about this country & program was fantastic- I will never forget my experience in Athens and 10/10 encourage you to go out of your comfort zone and study abroad with them!

Studying abroad in Athens, Greece was the best four months of my entire life. ISA made the application process super simple and the on-campus advisors helped facilitate the program while I was there. I studied at the American College of Greece and was able to join clubs like dance club and surfing club. There are so many activities on campus and everyone is super inviting. They took us on some amazing excursions like Voulagameni beach and Meteora. I highly recommend studying abroad with ISA as they have so many destinations to choose from and have programs for most majors!!

I studied abroad in Greece in 2022, and I had the most incredible experience! our living situation was wonderful! We were just a short walk away from a beautiful school beside the mountains. The small town where we studied was full of fun, restaurants, stores, and other things we needed! We could take a quick metro ride to downtown Athens, very easily! My favorite part of my study abroad experience was the people that I met! I truly made some of my best friend, and it was so fun being able to travel all over Europe every weekend with my new friends! I couldn’t recommend studying abroad more, it ignited my love for traveling, and I have traveled to so many other countries since living in Greece! I think Greece is the perfect place to study abroad, because the weather is beautiful, you can easily access all of the islands for weekend trips, and it is essentially located to take trips to other countries as well! I could do it all over again, I would do it exactly the same way with this program in Athens through ISA!

I truly believe that going to Greece to study at the American College of Greece was one of the best things I have done in my life. This experience has stuck with me every second that I have been back home. Tess and Eugenia did an amazing job of making us feel loved, welcomed, and supported. Immersing myself into the Greek culture is an experience I truly hold near and dear to my heart and will forever more. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go abroad and I encourage everyone who is thinking about studying abroad to take the leap!

My study abroad summer trip to Athens Greece was nothing short of unforgettable. Having never travelled abroad for an extended period the summer session was the perfect opportunity to dip my toes in. Of course this left me wishing I could stay for much longer. I had decided to take this trip solo and that was honestly the best decision I could have made. Almost everyone I met had chosen to do the same, and I made friends who I got really close with very quickly. I enjoyed the luxury of being close enough to walk to campus, shopping, markets, and different restaurant's. Public transportation was also super easy to navigate and we took many trips downtown on the metro and the buses. I went on many weekend trips with my program to historical sites and different islands. Big groups from my program also planned many weekend trips to different islands such as Mykonos and Paros. We booked boat cruises where we stopped at numerous islands or in the ocean to swim off the boat. The campus was beautiful as it sits on a mountain. The academics were a bit different than the U.S. as their grade scale and system is not the same, with little to no daily coursework. However, it is definitely manageable if you take the time to study for your midterm and final. I really enjoyed the cuisine as well, eating gyros almost every other day. There were lots of options for fresh produce and juices as well, and so many different authentic Greek dishes to try. Every Greek I met was very kind and helpful with any questions I had whether it be recommendations for places to visit or foods to try. Almost everyone speaks some English which made it especially helpful to navigate everything. My Greek classmates and Professors were very eager to answer our questions. Our accommodations were very close to the college and the apartment style living with everyone in our program made it so much fun to spend time together. The RA's living in the buildings were extremely kind and helpful and even spent time with us on various outings. I loved being in close proximity to everyone and so close to town where we could always find something to do. The views of course were extravagant. The beaches are unreal, with water so clear you can see completely to the bottom far off the shore. With the hot summer climate the water felt amazing. The historical sites and temples are truly something to behold, so much ancient history and Greek mythology associated with every place. It seemed that every site had a story of sorts behind its name. Greece in itself is truly everything I anticipated and more, I had many moments that felt so surreal. My biggest takeaway however, is the relationships I made. I was very fortunate to have met so many amazing people, and many which I kept in touch with after my trip. It is hard to see people you spent everyday with return back to every corner of the U.S. but I am so grateful to have experienced my summer abroad with them.

I had the absolute best time on my study abroad trip this past summer! The ISA representatives were so attentive and always made sure we were adapting well to the culture of Greece! The school was fantastic and the students and teachers were very friendly and accommodating! I made friends on this trip from schools all over the country and we continue to talk on a daily basis, and I was also exposed to culture that you simply cannot find anywhere else! Overall, this program is one of the most memorable experiences i have ever had and i would recommend it time and time again!!

Studying abroad in Athens, Greece was an unforgettable experience filled with countless memories. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality of the city. The opportunity to immerse myself in such a dynamic environment allowed me to forge meaningful connections with people from all walks of life, each encounter leaving a lasting impression. Exploring the bustling streets, indulging in delectable Greek cuisine, and embarking on adventures throughout Europe added layers of excitement to my journey. Every day brought new discoveries and adventures, shaping an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. Athens truly stole my heart, leaving me with a profound appreciation for its beauty and the invaluable lessons learned during my time there.

Studying abroad in Athens, Greece this past summer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I met so many amazing people and engaged in an experience that showed me the beauty of our world while being on the other side of my home. If you are considering it, do it!!

My experience was unique just in the choices I made such as going to a semester and choosing Greece in the first place because not many think of Greece but Paris or England. ISA is very user-friendly and friendly in person as well, I would never regret studying abroad with ISA with so many choices. I got to meet so many people from different countries going to my college, my advisors were excellent with so much advise! The dorms were manageable with people from all over the US in the dorms. I wish I could go again!!!

I have so much praise for ISA Greece, it is hard to express all of my love for the country, the people, and for the program. I will begin by saying the apartments students stayed in were small but perfect for what a college student would need! Having Greek RAs was the best part! The apartments were located close to campus (15 minute walk) near restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and the train station to easily get to Athens. The professors were not overly concerned over the academics of the abroad students, but were available if a student did have questions or concerns. The programs ISA offered while abroad enhanced the experience, and allowed me the chance to see parts of the country I wouldn’t have otherwise! I would recommend anyone who embraces newness and enjoys city life to take advantage of this program! Side note: you certainly do not need to speak Greek but I enrolled in a Greek 101 course at the University which was my favorite course

As I reflect on my time, I loved being in Greece and immersing myself in the culture. At first I very much wanted to go home and missed American lifestyle. It took a bit of adjustment but after that I had a great time.

This experience was immersive and amazing. Having the opportunity to experience new people, places, and things with the help and support for the ISA staff was the perfect balance to feel comfortable and explore and learn the city.

I had the most fulfilling and enriching time while abroad. Not only was I able to learn about Greek culture and see all of the beauty the country had to offer, but I truly made lifelong friends through this program. I will never forget the memories I made on the field trips, cultural immersion experiences and even just in my classes and down time w students in my program.

My time abroad In Greece was so much fun. I have made friends for life; I don't know how I would live without these people. The on-site staff is super friendly, and they are very helpful. It was a fantastic time, I was there during the fall, and I think this is the perfect time to be. We had about a month and a half of fantastic weather where we spent most of our free time on the beach, which are very quickly accessible. Then we had lovely fall weather and even got some snow towards the end. I never felt unsafe in the neighborhood where the dorms are super safe. It was also a pleasant walk from the school, so you got to explore the neighborhood a little, don't the way to the school. The school itself is very lovely; the teachers are all friendly and very helpful. IMPORTANT, as an American, attendance was not something super important in college classes, but here is it. You need to show up, and if you're sick, you need a doctor's note to get your absences excused.

I signed up for the program not expecting much, other than being at a place I've never been before, and I got back more than I could have ever asked for. ISA program have created a wonderful community, where through that, I was able to foster meaningful friendships that I will forever hold close to my heart. I met some of the most open-minded individuals . Also, the locals were extremely friendly towards study-abroad students, and were willing to help out since I didn't speak Greek. I took classes with other international students and Greek students. The classes were taught in English, and students communicate with each other in English. ISA was very helpful in helping me pick my courses. On the weekends, we would go on organized excursion trips to different sightseeing spots in Athens, and the surrounding areas, as well as attending cultural classes like dancing and cooking. Overall, it was a great experience and I'm so glad I did it.

My semester in Athens, Greece was the best time of my life. It is a beautiful country that has everything you could imagine, from the snow covered mountains, to the sandy beaches, to the bustling city, and ancient ruins around every corner. My favorite thing to learn about in history class was always the Greek gods and goddesses, so visiting their ancient temples was like an out of world experience for me. My ISA advisors were some of the kindest people I know and made a real effort to expose the students to their culture. The food was incredible and I could probably eat gyros for the rest of my life. My classes was a great mix of American and Greek students, where we could often debate about our ways of life. The thing I will value the most is the lifelong friendships that I have made. I still talk to my friends often and meeting them gives me a new excuse to travel more often to see them.