Overview

Study abroad in Greece over the summer through GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as EuroLearn.

The summer study abroad program at the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) in Greece is specifically designed to meet the needs of North American college students at all undergraduate levels. The summer program is five weeks long and students may choose to take two, three credit courses in liberal arts, technology, and/or business; or, choose courses in Greek language, history, culture and art.

ACT is a division of Anatolia, a private, not-for-profit educational institution founded in 1886 in Asia Minor and relocated to Thessaloniki, in 1924. It is one of only six NEASC- accredited academic institutions outside of the US and the only institution in Southeast Europe with both full American accreditation and European validation.

ACT offers American-style undergraduate and graduate education with teaching standards and campus infrastructure unmatched in the region and a rich student life on and around campus. 

Learn more about Greece.

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Academic Highlights

ACT provides quality academic programs in a diverse set of divisions including Liberal Arts, Business, Information Technology, International Relations and Diplomacy. The curriculum at ACT is modelled on those of leading American educational institutions, both in respect to content and the teaching style of faculty.

Classes are taught in English by experienced American and International faculty and teaching style requires little adaptation by students from the United States. Classrooms are diverse, with students from all over the world, providing a multi-cultural learning experience.

A well developed service learning program, the Dukakis Lecture Series, clubs, film screenings, workshops, athletic tournaments, art exhibits, fieldtrips and internships give ample opportunities for students to integrate with peers, faculty, the wider Anatolia campus and the Thessaloniki community.

 

The following courses were offered during the summer 2011 session. Most courses are worth 3 US semester credits. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad students will enroll in 2 classes during the summer study abroad program earning up to 6 US semester credits.

• Management 340: Business in Greece and the European Union
• Marketing 200: Public Relations
• Art 130: Digital Photography
• Art History 220: Ancient Greek Art and Architecture
• Art History 299: Museum Practicum
• Greek 101: Beginning Modern Greek I
• History 221: History of the Twentieth Century: Global Modernities
• History 232: Thessaloniki: A City and its Inhabitants
• Oxford Module; Politics 399: European Politics
• Philosophy 203: Ethics
• Psychology 327: Introduction to Counseling Psychology
• CS 211: Fundamentals of Wireless LANs
• Introduction to Open Sea Sailing (with Certificate option)

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Location

Thessaloniki

ACT is located in Thessaloniki, the largest city in northern Greece; a historical city dating back to the time of Alexander the Great, with Byzantine, Roman and Venetian remnants and a beautiful waterfront. A university town, with the largest Greek University campus, it is famous for its friendliness, a vibrant night life and beautiful museums, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Only an hour away to the east are the golden beaches of Halikidiki, while towards the south, Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods, provides the city with a breathtaking backdrop.

ACT’s campus, on the outskirts of the city, is spacious and tree-filled and includes a mixture of historical and modern buildings with state-of-the-art facilities. Student housing is in the heart of the city and public buses, as well as ACT’s own buses, provide students with transportation to and from campus. Taxis are very affordable and can be shared and students often chose this mode of transportation because of its convenience.

Around the University

ACT’s campus is located in the community of Pylea, set just above the city. Pylea grew out of a small village and is now a part of the wider city. Life in Pylea centers around the big Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias and the community building; an 8 to 10 minute downhill walk from campus (or a 1 stop bus ride) will bring you there.

An elderly lady who serves in the soup kitchen of Prophet Elias will tell you how her father planted the corner stones of the first building on Anatolia’s campus, while her sister was one of the school’s first graduates. Lower and middle class families live here and there are many shops and services including pharmacies, banks, a post office, a police station, two grade schools, a high school, numerous kindergartens, small eating places, a number of colorful restaurants, gas stations, a yoga center and an exhibit area for local artists.

The city hall is very active and organizes classes and workshops for the local people, as well as a full fledged Theater Festival each spring. The main street that goes through Pylea, Kennedy Avenue, goes right by the central gate of Anatolia College and on to another small town, Panorama. Panorama is one of the city’s most chic communities and property there is very expensive.

While on campus, students who wish to enjoy the area can take long walks through the hilly terrain to the north of campus or hop on a bus to Panorama for a coffee and to enjoy superb vistas of the entire city, the Thermaic gulf and on a clear day, mount Olympus.

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Housing

Studio apartments are fully furnished and all study abroad students are guaranteed space in college housing. Single and double-occupancy options exist, and priority on choice is given to early applicants. Laundry facilities, internet and utilities (heating, water and electricity) are included.

Apartments are located in small, quaint neighbourhoods with grocery stores, banks, gyms and hospitals all close by. The apartments are also just a short walk away from museums, cinemas, restaurants, swimming pools and the waterfront. Students can walk or jog on the water promenade and enjoy the fabulous sunsets the city is famous for. The city is safe and people of all ages walk and drive downtown at all times of the day and night; a traffic jam at 2 a.m. is not unusual. ACT study abroad students enjoy the rich and varied options they have while living in the city.

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University Services

Services provided to summer study abroad students include: mail services, morning and evening buses from housing to campus, housing, psychological counseling, doctor/nurse services on campus, student visa and resident permit assistance, academic counseling, sports facilities and organized sports activities, clubs and cultural activities and excursions, library services, internet, housing maintenance services, computer assistance, a service learning program, select internships, writing and math tutoring, a student i.d. card, registration and accounting support, and an extensive orientation.

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Orientation

Incoming summer study abroad students are met at the airport; an arrival packet with maps and basic guidelines on how to navigate the city is provided and housing and neighborhood tours are given by trained ACT staff.

During a two day orientation students are introduced to the campus, academic and student life, international programs office support services, housing facilities and rules, financial matters and volunteering options. Orientation also includes: a campus tour, a comprehensive acculturation workshop, a ‘survival Greek’ session, a city tour, group lunches, evenings out, a trip to IKEA and a cultural excursion day-trip to Vergina.

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Enhance Your Experience Online

Global Citizen Development

The new Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication.  

Course Catalog

To determine if the classes you need are available at this university, select Courses/Subjects to view the specific course options.

Tips: For advice on navigating the university’s course catalog, use the Selecting Courses link. You may also view the suggested grade and credit transfer information through the Grade Conversion.

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org.  

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Photo Slideshow

Watch a short slideshow of photos of the ACT campus and the city of Thessaloniki
 

Ask an Alumni

Ever wonder what it's like to live in Europe? Are you having trouble finding the right university for you? Speak to students that were already there! They are truly experts on their universities and cities, and want to help you go abroad too.

Email studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org with your name, email, and your specific program of interest and we'll email you with the contact details for one of our 20,000 alumni!

Please don't hesitate to contact us as well with any questions.

Fees

Fee Includes

All fees are quoted in US Dollars unless otherwise specifically stated. Program fees include tuition for 6 semester credits, housing, health insurance, arrival airport pickup on designated dates, two field trips (to Athens or island and to Vergina), and official transcript. Airfare, visa fee (if required), meals and books are an additional cost.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Europe Coordinator

Name: Jill Muegge Title: Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Department: Europe Programs Team BIO: Jill, an Outreach and Student Services Coordinator for EuroLearn, is responsible for enrollment and returned student services for programs at the University of Economics, Czech Republic; Freie Universität (FUBiS summer program and FUBEST semester program), Germany; American College of Thessaloniki, Greece; and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Italy. Jill graduated from the University of Denver with her Master’s Degree in International and Intercultural Communications and received her BA from Northwest Missouri State University. An AustraLearn alum, she studied at the University of Canberra and has since lived, worked, and traveled through Europe and Central America. Jill enjoys sharing her passion for international education, and, as a native Nebraskan, will always be a Husker fan.