The American College of Greece is a private university located in Agia Paraskevi, right outside downtown Athens. Although your classes will be taught in English, you will be immersed into Greek life. While on your ten-minute walk to campus from your apartment, you'll pass by ancient architecture that dates back to 400 B.C!
Where In The World
Things To Do
Visit the Acropolis, which served as a sanctuary in ancient Greece, home of the world renowned Parthenon
Looking for affordable shops and designer ones all in one place? Check out the little Kolonaki neighborhood
Go shopping in Syntagma, the central square of Athens
Grab some food at a traditional taverna in Plaka, and don't forget to stop at Glykys for great greek coffee or ouzo
Visit Brettos Bar, the oldest distillery in Athens
Go to a bouzoukia concert
Enjoy a meal on a rooftop in Monastiraki
Enjoy a long traditional meal at Papagalos together with live music every weekend, but don't forget to make reservations beforehand
Relax at Glyfada beach on a sunny day and check out the renowned Astir Beach Club for lounge chairs and world-class DJs, open year round
Spend your Monday at the Laiki farmers market
Soccer fan? Check out a Olympiacos F.C. game
Visit the old olympic stadium, "Panathenaic Stadium"
Enjoy some greenery at the Athens National Garden
Take a ferry ride from Piraeus to other islands
Hike to Mt. Lycabettus, a gigantic limestone hill above Athens
Lay back in the "teratsa" of GazARTE or in its upstairs library lounge for a fun and alternative afternoon
Enjoy summer vibes outside or inside with groovy 1950s feels at Baba au Rum
Check out concerts and DJ sets at Technopolis, where you can learn about the history of an industrial museum, but remember it is closed on Mondays
Read An Experience
Are you interested in studying abroad in ATHENS, but need a little more convincing? Check out the listed blog we have collected from Athen's alumni and gain some insight from another person's experience.
What should you expect when moving to Athens? The Unexpected!
Hey, My name is Alex, and I studied abroad in Athens, Greece for the entirety of my junior year. Before I left the familiarity of Chico to move across the world, I literally did not know anything about Greece. I had no exposure to the language outside of science and mathematics, didn't really know anything of the culture and I had never met a Greek person before. So to say that I didn't really know what to expect is an understatement.
With all that in mind, and with the message to "throw away all expectations," from outbound orientation echoing in my head, I made a conscious effort to enter my experience with an open heart and mind, not make any assumptions and to hold no expectations of what this new country would have to offer me.
Upon my arrival I was scared. There was no one else from Chico State studying there, so it was literally just me; and going all alone ended up being the coolest thing ever. Since I had no one, I was forced to go outside of my comfort zone and make friends. The friends I made in Athens, both Greek and American, are people that I will hold dear to me for my entire life.
My three closest friends from my study abroad experience are in fact my Greek friends. I even was lucky enough to experience my own Mamma Mia like love story. My Greek friends choosing me to share their country, city, language and culture with, was hands down the most rewarding part of study abroad. To get experience someone else's home through their eyes is an intimate experience, and I believe that I have a deeper understanding of Athens and Greek culture than the average visitor.
So there it is: I left home alone, expecting nothing and scared; and I ended up getting a second home away from mine and a new family rooting for me from almost 7,000 miles away. Looking back, the fears and worries that I held before I left are nothing compared to the growth and the joy that I have found through the time that I spent in Athens.