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athens-piraeus-district-marinas-sunset
Athens, Greece

Summer in Athens

Study Program

Tentative Dates

-

6 weeks

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

6 weeks

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

12 weeks

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your Summer in Athens program lasts 6 weeks (or up to 12 weeks) and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in CIEE courses and online courses taught through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Greek culture. Live and learn in Athens! 

Explore the heart of ancient Athens

where Socrates once walked and taught Western philosophy

Learn to cook traditional Greek dishes

like moussaka, spanikopita, and souvlaki

Enjoy vibrant sunsets on Areopagus Hill

an ancient rock offering an unmatched view of Athens

Experience
  • Athens

Your Destination 

Athens is Greece’s historic and culturally rich capital, celebrated for its ancient landmarks, Mediterranean climate, and vibrant modern energy. Summer in Athens offers sun-soaked days perfect for exploring the Acropolis, wandering through charming neighborhoods like Plaka, and enjoying open-air concerts and festivals. The city seamlessly blends its storied past with contemporary life, featuring buzzing cafés, innovative art spaces, and a thriving food scene. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Athens is the perfect place to study abroad while immersing yourself in one of Europe’s most iconic and inspiring cities. 

Delphi Greece

Program Highlights 

  • Unmatched Flexibility: Spend one or two consecutive 6-week blocks in the same host city or travel between cities for a comparative cultural experience.
  • Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
  • Cultural Activities: Volunteer with members of the local community  and attend local workshops and events to get to know your host city. 
Athens

Excursions & Activities 

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Athens will open doors for you to explore Greece’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. 

Samples of excursions and activities:   

  • Visit Syntagma Square to witness the iconic Changing of the Guard, a striking display of tradition and honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier  
  • Embark on a journey through Athens’ ancient heart, exploring iconic archaeological sites like the bustling Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the towering Olympian, the sacred Kerameikos, and Aristotle’s legendary Lyceum  
  • Escape to the timeless island of Hydra, where car-free cobblestone streets, seaside charm, and stunning Aegean views create a perfect Greek getaway     

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and are subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience. 

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Housing

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Athens offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. All housing has convenient access to plenty of shopping, supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation. 

  • Standard Housing: Includes a room in a homestay or double rooms in shared apartments. Homestays provide you with an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Greek family life and culture. Housing is located within 45 minutes of CIEE Athens. 
  • Select Housing: Includes double rooms in shared apartments. Shared apartments feature a kitchen, bathroom, common areas, and laundry facilities shared with other students. Housing is located within 30 minutes of CIEE Athens. Select housing requires an additional fee.  
  • Select Plus Housing: Includes a single room in shared apartments located within 30 minutes of CIEE Athens. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee.  

A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive.   

Meals

  • Apartments: Meals are not included.  
  • Homestays: Host families provide breakfast and dinner, and students are responsible for lunch.  
Athens Greek Salad
Academics

Academics

CIEE Athens: Study in Athens, a city where ancient history and modern energy collide. Wander through iconic ruins, savor delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and immerse yourself in the lively culture that makes Athens a one-of-a-kind destination.

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 6-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.  

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All Summer in Athens students enroll in two courses per block, choosing from: 

  • CIEE Courses 
  • ASU online courses 

Program Credit

  • One Block: 6-7 U.S semester/9-10.5 quarter credits  
  • Two Blocks: 12-14 U.S. semester/18-21 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours  
  • ASU Online Courses: Typically, 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours    

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Each CIEE course is a full semester in content, covered in a six-week block, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. Courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lectures, group work, and discussions with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation.  To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Athens when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends in between blocks.

ASU Courses: Most ASU online courses are asynchronous. You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online.  

Class Format

CIEE classes are for CIEE students only. Classes are small, typically with up to 15 students per class, and emphasize communication and work in small groups. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.  

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 6-weeks long in the summer, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end.  

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. In CIEE courses, students are graded on the basis of attendance, class engagement, homework, project work, presentations, and mid-term and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.  

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

Program Options

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing
Program Summer Block I 2026 6 weeks Start Date * End Date *
Program Summer Block II 2026 6 weeks Start Date * End Date *
Program Summer Blocks I, II 2026 12 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

paco diez

Francisco Diez

Regional Director of Operations for Europe   

Francisco Diez is the Regional Director of Operations for Europe including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Florence, Milan, Tallinn, and Prague.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

Apply Now

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Contact Us

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