Enjoy Athens’ modern flair and contemporary art, with a vibrant street life and laid-back lifestyle. Take classes at Hellenic American University’s Athens campus (with views of the Acropolis from the eighth floor) and live and study in the heart of the city. Choose from core courses in business, psychology, and music studies, as well as regionally topical courses that allow you to travel across Greece. Small class sizes give you personalized attention and you can join student council or one of the numerous student clubs.
Spring: October 15
- Ideal location for exploring the Mediterranean, including the beautiful neighboring islands of Hydra, Poros, and Egina
- Visit the historical Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and other sites
- Greek cooking classes with fresh ingredients from local markets, or traditional dancing classes
- Artful blend between ancient history and modernity in a 3,400-year-old city
- Enjoy the diversity of students on campus (including local Greek students) and become part of the small community that HAU considers family
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Connect with your Global Advisor to start planning. Apply by the application deadline.
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Meet your Program Coordinator to finalize acceptance paperwork, housing, courses, flights, visas, payments, etc. Attend a pre-departure orientation.
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Fly away. You'll be greeted at the airport, participate in a robust On-site Orientation and La Vida Local Curriculum with your Site Director.
Academics
WHY THIS UNIVERSITY?
Explore your studies beyond the classroom in one of the world’s oldest cities. Hellenic American University’s Athens campus, also known as Hellenic American College (HAEC), is centrally located in the neighborhood of Kolonaki in the heart of Athens. You can even see the Acropolis from the top floor of the building where you take classes.
On campus, the community feels like family. You’ll learn from international faculty in small class sizes, which means you’ll get one-on-one attention. Choose from one of the many student clubs to develop leadership skills and actively contribute to the community. Because twenty percent of the student body comes from countries outside of Greece, you’ll have a diverse experience. To fully take in the culture, wander through the library that holds over 35,000 titles in English and Greek. And, don’t forget the online collection of over 250,000 digital books. In between classes, grab lunch at the Union Cafe for affordable Greek cuisine. Most importantly, you can glimpse a bit of history everywhere you turn in Athens.
Hellenic American University (HAU) has educational sites in Nashua, New Hampshire, and Athens, Greece. The programs in Athens are offered at Hellenic American College (HAEC) through an Agreement of Cooperation that the sister schools have signed. NEASC accredits all programs offered by HAU and therefore the credits you earn while studying at HAEC can easily transfer back, as students will receive a U.S. transcript issued by HAU.
Accreditation(s): Hellenic American University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
How to Choose Your Courses
Now the fun part! You get to pick the courses you will take abroad. Review the course information on this page. Once you’ve decided which courses you want to take, fill out the CISabroad Course Selection Worksheet in your online portal.
Course Approval
Make sure to talk with your home university about course approval and get additional classes approved before you go abroad. For example, if you are taking 4 classes abroad, we recommend getting 8 approved. This gives you some flexibility in setting up your class schedule. Think about courses required for your major, but also courses that fulfill your elective requirements.
GPA Requirement
If you find your GPA is lower than the requirement listed at the top of this page, do not despair! Get in touch to let us know your situation. In many cases, there are additional application materials that you can submit to make your case for acceptance.
Course Information
Semester in Greece’s course options include Psychology, Music, English Language and Literature, Administration, General Engineering, and Information Technology. The Hellenic American University established as a US institution of Higher Ed in 2004 and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the oldest accrediting association in the US.
Course load: 3-5 courses; up to 15 credits.
Course Description and Catalog: To view the tentative schedule of courses for Fall 2019, please click on the following link: Tentative HAUniv Schedule UG Fall 2019. The tentative schedule for Spring 2019 is available here: Tentative HAUniv UG Schedule Spring 2019. Please note that these lists are not yet finalized and are subject to change.
For more information on these courses, please consult the following document: HAU Course Descriptions 2018-19. Please note: this list contains information on all classes offered at both the Hellenic American University Athens campus and the Hellenic American University United States campus across the full academic year, so please make sure to pick only classes offered during your semester on the Athens tentative schedules in the previous paragraph. Do not use the Course Descriptions list to pick your classes! Thank you!
Highly Suggested Course:
Athens Across the Ages – 3 credit hours: This experiential learning course takes students on a journey across the country for a series of interactive excursions exploring the history of Greece through day hikes walking tours and guided visits to regional museums, historical sites and famous monuments. Travelling from the Homeric epics of the Bronze Age to the 19th century War of Independence, students follow the vicissitudes of 5,000 years of history, covering over 1,000 kilometers of geography with peripatetic lectures and group discussions.
Life in Athens
Welcome and Orientation
Upon arrival, you’ll take part in both the university and CISabroad orientation program. You’ll learn the “do’s and don’ts” of living in Athens, Greece. You will be provided with super useful welcome packets that include maps and your Athena card. Where to go to enjoy some social, cultural and recreational activities; how to stay safe; and where to shop are just a few topics our knowledgeable staff will cover. Oh, and there’ll be a welcome meal, something traditional and yummy, as Greek cuisine is known to be one of the best in the world!
Farewell and Re-entry Program
Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. We’ll walk you through some of the things to expect, rehash your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights and, yep, we’ll feed you one last delicious Greek meal before you go!
Housing Options
Students will live in off-campus, shared apartments, located within 30 minutes of the school via public transportation. Housed in traditional, historical buildings with a range of amenities.
Amenities:
- Students will share bedrooms containing two or three beds, but there are single rooms available on request (additional fee applies).
- The apartments feature a washing machine, dishes, wifi, and bed linens.
- Fully equipped kitchens include cooking utensils, a fridge, and either a cook top OR an electrical stove.
- Please note that there are no elevators in most of the apartment buildings.
Local Life
- Festivals: Technopolis in the Gazi neighborhood is approximately 30 acres and constitutes one of the most interesting live industrial museums in Europe! Now used as a cultural center for concerts and festivals, there’s always something interesting going on here.
- Dance classes: There are more than 10,000 Greek dances from different regions all over Greece. Make sure you stretch before class!
- Cooking classes: Food is a huge staple in Greek culture - everything revolves around it. Learn to cook and then eat like a local.
- Theaters/Shows/Concerts: Greeks love the arts! Experience a live concert at the famous Odeon of Herodes Atticus, right under the lit-up Parthenon. It’s magical!
- Organic Wine & Olive Oil Tasting Tour: Learn firsthand what it takes to cultivate and organically produce premium wines and extra virgin olive oil.
More About Athens
Flanked by some of the world's most beautiful seas, Greece is located on the southernmost point of the Balkan Peninsula. Explore the country's largest city and capital, Athens, on your study abroad experience. Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a recorded history dating back over 3,400 years. Historians consider Athens the cradle of Western civilization. Today, the city artfully blends ancient history with modernity. You'll see new buildings and stadiums built for the 2004 Summer Olympics in the midst of world-famous ancient ruins.
Athens has the third largest port in the world, allowing visitors to flock to the city by sea. The flourishing population of approximately 660,000 people makes Athens a bustling, cosmopolitan city. You'll notice a vibrant street life combined with a relaxed culture. As you explore, you'll discover the true spirit of the city in the surrounding neighborhoods, which all have lively music, food, and people.
Athens serves as one of the most important cities in southern Europe for international trade, tourism, entertainment, arts, and education. The city still carries on Greek traditions and customs while rapidly evolving, reflecting its location at the crossroads between east and west. Be sure to visit the ancient Acropolis, a structure that has seen the city grow and transform since the fifth century BC. Athens really is a classroom in itself!
Program Excursions
While participating on a CISabroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.
Delphi
Delphi is the site of the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary oracle. This extensive mountainside archaeological complex contains the remains of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, plus a stadium and a theater.
Acropolis of Athens
Make a visit to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, where you can admire architectural treasures dating from the 5th century BC.
Cape Sounion
The southernmost tip of the Attica Peninsula is known for its amazing sunsets and the Temple of Poseidon, which hangs off a cliff.
Your Support Staff
Travel Tip: We love what we do and want to talk to you! The Global Advising Center is here to help you decide on a program, and complete the Online Application. From the moment you first hear from us be it through a phone call, email or personal visit, you will find that our passion for international education is contagious. We’re ready to launch you abroad.
Travel Tip: Forgive yourself for not always knowing exactly what to do in a new place; if you’re humble, people will be happy to nudge you in the right direction. And always have a deck of cards in your backpack!
Travel Tip: To explore a new country, I choose to walk rather than take transportation even for longer distances. It helps you better feel the vibration and get into the pace of local life. Makes you hungrier for local dishes, too!
Program Fees & Dates
Advisor Tip: Please do not book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
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Fall 2019
Application DeadlineJune 1ArrivalAugust 29OrientationAugust 30Classes StartSeptember 2Classes EndDecember 13DepartureDecember 17PRICE$12,890
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Spring 2020
Application DeadlineOctober 15ArrivalJanuary 27 (Estimated)DepartureMay 31 (Estimated)PRICE$12,890 (Estimated)
CISabroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Add on even more adventure with CISabroad’s Explore Europe Weekends – for only $490! Travel to Paris during your semester program and meet up with other CISabroad participants. Our trusted CISabroad site directors will show you the most famous excursions as well as how to truly live La Vida Local. Your all-inclusive Explore Europe Weekend package includes travel around the city, accommodations, and entertainment – an incredible value for $490.
Program Inclusions
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
Program fees are in US dollars and include the following:
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Medical and accident insurance
- CISabroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Pre-departure orientation
- Airport pickup
- CISabroad orientation
- HAU orientation
- On-site support
- Internet connection
- NYTimes Digital Subscription
- La Vida Local cultural program
- One overnight excursion and day trips outside of Athens
- Seminars about local culture economics and politics
- Student Guild fees
- HAU official transcript