American College of Greece, Athens Greece

The American College of Greece is located in Athens, Greece.  A modern metropolis and the birthplace of Western civilization, Athens provides an unparalleled setting for academic opportunity and exploration. Continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, today Athens is home to 3.5 million people. 

DEREE - The American College of Greece is proud of its global outlook and reach. Everything on its beautiful campus has an international flavor: the American model of education applied in an international setting; the language of instruction (English); the curriculum, which is designed with global realities in mind; faculty with advanced degrees from universities around the globe; partnerships with more than 50 universities in the US, Europe and Asia and with international companies offering students world class workplace experiences; over 35,000 alumni in almost every country on the planet, and, of course, the student body.

About 350 students from more than 50 countries study at ACG each academic year, taking advantage of the College’s location in the epicenter of one of the world’s most historic and beautiful lands, and the global recognition of its degrees.

Athens is a unique setting for an American college abroad, affording a backdrop for academic investigation like no other. Here the liberal arts were born, thinkers grappled with the practical and the existential, and for the first time ordinary citizens earned the right to elect their representatives.

Whether you are drawn to exploring the Acropolis or enjoying a leisurely frappe in a cafe at the Agora, Athens offers something for everyone. The majestic columns of the Acropolis stand guard over a culture that vibrates with the pulse of the 21st century. Conformity is challenged daily, just as it was 2,500 years ago when democracy and philosophy, sculpture and architecture, theater and historiography flourished here.

This is a fall or spring program:

• The fall term runs early-September until mid-December while the spring term runs from mid-January until early May. The fall group departs together in early September and is home for Christmas break.  There is a short Thanksgiving break, identical to Loyola's, in the fall semester.  
• Spring semester students will depart together in early-January and return in early May. There is a two week long spring break in the spring semester.

• This program serves students in nearly all majors
• Most upper level core courses are available
• Must have 1 free elective available to complete the Greek language requirement 
• Students will take 5, 3 credit courses 

*All grades from abroad are transferred and calculated into your Loyola GPA; no courses can be taken as pass/fail

This program includes:

• Round trip airfare 
• Housing (meal plan provided by ACG is optional and not included in the program cost)
• RA's in each of the dorms
• Local and city orientations
• Cultural trips*

*trips subject to change based on avalibility and demand.

Students will experience a similar class setting to Loyola (small seminar-style classes). However, students must be prepared for a more independent semester and typically grades consist of a midterm and final exam only. Most classes take place in the classrooms. Class sizes vary from fifteen students and above.

Students will live in an apartment complex that is utilized by Loyola students, other international students, and Greek students. This apartment complex is located on a residential street and is within a 5-10 minute walk to campus. 

Generally, four to eight students will share a suite of double bedrooms with one to two baths, a common kitchen and a sitting area.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• Loyola Housing
• Study Abroad Program fee
• International Insurance Premium

Once accepted into the program, students must call their bank and credit card carriers to tell them that they will be abroad for the semester. Students should carry debit or credit cards with them. Both Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted forms of payment, Dicsover and AmEx are less commonly accepted. Cash in Europe is also widely utilized.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

Loyola will arrange and pay for group travel to and from Athens. Any change to the students booked itinerary is done at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes. Group flights are arranged for students traveling to Athens. Student departures are usually from Newark International Airport in New Jersey or JFK Airport in New York.

Students fly to Eleftherios Venizelos, Athens International Airport in Greece, where students are met by a representative of ACG on arrival.

Under the guidance of the program director, Loyola students are responsible for obtaining their own student visa. Students are required to attend a workshop during the semester that is specifically dedicated to preparing the paperwork for their visa appointment.

• For fall students preparing in the springtime, processing their visas occurs at their home consulate over the summer.
• For spring students processing their visas in the fall, processing their visas occurs at the Washington D.C. Embassy.

Application Requirements 

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

• Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
• Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 2.750
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
• ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
• An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.