Marine Ecology & Sustainability
A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future
Explore
Have fun discovering Athens, its stunning coast, and its marine life.
Network
Meet new friends and marine biologists. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Launch your future today! Explore solutions for protecting marine ecosystems. Discover how to make a difference back home.
The Destination
Welcome to Athens, where diverse coastal ecosystems, meet an ancient past shaped by life along the sea.
Once a powerful Mediterranean center connected by its port at Piraeus, Athens today blends iconic ancient ruins with colorful street art, lively neighborhoods, and unforgettable flavors—from souvlaki (grilled meat wrapped with pita with toppings) and loukoumades (fried dough balls drizzled with honey) to fresh seafood.
Your experience extends beyond the city center to the beautiful southern coast of Attica, with accommodation closer to Sounion and the Aegean Sea. Here, you’ll discover another side of Greece, with beaches, coastal landscapes, seaside communities, and opportunities to connect with nature.
Nearby, the Temple of Poseidon stands dramatically above the sea, bringing together mythology, history, and one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Attica. Experience both the energy of Athens and the beauty of the Aegean coast—two sides of Greece in one unforgettable journey!
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Make your sea protection footprint at an environmental NGO
Step into the world of the loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta) and discover how these remarkable animals survive, adapt, and navigate the Mediterranean. Through an engaging look at rehabilitation and conservation practices, students connect classroom knowledge with real-world environmental action. It is an opportunity to discover how research, community involvement, and everyday choices can help protect Greece’s marine ecosystems for future generations.
The visit invites students to think beyond the classroom about our place in nature and what it means to share the same planet!
Day Trip to Vouliagmeni Beach
Spend an afternoon at Vouliagmeni Beach, one of the most popular stretches of coastline along the Athens Riviera, about 18–20 km south of central Athens. This Blue Flag beach—an international designation for excellent water quality, safety, and environmental standards—curves around a wide bay with sandy shores, tiny inlets, rocky coves, limestone cliffs, and calm, crystal-clear water. The water is so clear that you can easily spot fish, sea urchins, shells, and seagrass below the surface.
Swim, sunbathe, and explore the shoreline with your fellow Global Navigators as you search for marine life hidden among the rocks and tucked into the coves. You may even spot Posidonia oceanica, one of the Mediterranean’s most important marine plants, which forms underwater meadows that shelter fish and help keep the water clear. Later, stretched out on the sand together, you find yourselves laughing about inside jokes, talking excitedly about everything you have learned, and dreaming about future travels, college plans, and all the places this experience might take you next.
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
- Please note: Due to the local cuisine and available food options, this program cannot accommodate a fully Kosher or Halal diet.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,700 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,700 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Group Flight
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Dr. Vicky Kynourgiopoulou
Center Director
Dr. Vicky Kynourgiopoulou is a distinguished scholar, cultural heritage specialist, and academic leader with over three decades of experience in higher education, cultural diplomacy, and sustainable development.
Yulie Archontaki
Center Director of CIEE
Yulie Archontaki has an interdisciplinary background in architecture, the performing arts, and education. Born and raised in Greece, she holds a BA (Hons) and a Professional Diploma in Architecture from...
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
Get Started
1
2
Connect with your Teachers or Parents
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about enrolling.
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