American College of Greece Exchange

Key Benefits:

When you study at the American College of Greece, you will take courses alongside local and study abroad students, with classes offered in English across various disciplines. This program is ideal if you want to challenge yourself academically and develop independence. Before applying, consider whether you are prepared to commit to all aspects of the program. When required, you must apply to the host university, secure housing, and obtain a visa. Failure to complete these tasks correctly and on time may result in withdrawal from the program. You will experience a different educational system than at Seattle University. This program requires a high level of independence both during the pre-departure process and while abroad. While the university has an international student office for support, certain support systems commonly found in U.S. higher education may not be available. Seattle University provides comprehensive global medical insurance and off-site support. American College of Greece provides guarenteed housing, student organizations, university facilities, academic accomodations, optional excursions, on-site orientation, visa-related assistance, and airport pick-up.

Level of Immersion
Language(s) of Instruction:
English
Features
Courses with Locals
Local University Program
Internship Opportunities
No Language Pre-Requisites

Housing Abroad

Housing is not included in the program fee. The program will provide housing in the following accommodation types:|Apartment

Housing at Seattle University

Moving can be both costly and stressful, but careful planning can help minimize both. Start by creating a housing plan for before and after your study abroad experience to avoid the pressure of continuing to pay for rent at home. Program fees typically cover housing abroad, so if you expect to incur additional domestic rent expenses, be sure to include these in your budget. If possible, consider staying with family or friends temporarily before you depart or when you return to save on costs.

Housing Residence Life

Education Abroad typically recommends considering Seattle University on-campus housing for when students return from their programs, as Housing Residence Life staff are able to support students in securing housing, while adhering to student preferenceas best as they can.

Housing Application

Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates

Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May

Disciplines

Courseload

Students who participate in an SU-Sponsored, SU-Exchange, or Non-SU program must be fully enrolled at their host university/program provider. Full-time enrollment on a semester-length program is typically 15 US semester credits (not quarter credits) or 30 ECTS credits.

Note: Not all programs/host universities provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. Some may have samples of past syllabi but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered during the students' time abroad.

Credit Range: 12-15
Credit System: U.S. Semester Credits
Typical Course load: 4-5
Credit Per Course: 3

Credit Conversion
Transcript Issued By: American College of Greece
Credit Conversion Rate: 1 U.S. Semester Credit = 1.5 SU Quarter Credits
Quarter Range: 18-22.5

EAO Historic Course Search

Academic Policy

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Student will receive transfer credit for their study abroad program and academic grades will not be reflected on their Seattle University transcript and will not be reflected in the Seattle University GPA nor honors calculations.
For all undergraduate programs, courses accepted in transfer are graded at least a C- when letter grades are issued and at least a 1.5 on the decimal grading system. Courses graded D+ or lower (1.5) will not be allowed either for transfer credit or to fulfill degree requirements.
Students in the College of Nursing, the College of Science and Engineering, and communication and psychology majors in the College of Arts and Sciences will be required to repeat courses graded lower than C (2.0) if the course is a major requirement or if it is a prerequisite to a major requirement.
Students in the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete required business courses (including mathematics, economics & accounting) with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Transfer of Credit & Placeholder Course

Transfer Credits

Letter grades received on this program will not transfer to SU nor factor into Seattle University GPA. If students receive the minimum grade required, credits will transfer toward their Seattle University degree as approved through the required pre-departure Course Approval process. Minimum grade details will be specified during Course Approval for each course taken abroad.

Placeholder Course

The Education Abroad Office will enroll students in a 12-credit placeholder course per term that you are abroad so that students maintain full-time student status and are billed properly. This placeholder course will be replaced by the courses taken abroad upon successful completion and receipt of official transcript.

Program Fees

Program fees are subject to change and based on previous year's tuition, if future tuition rates are not available yet. The purpose of the budget worksheets is to provide an estimate of how much studying abroad is going to cost. Actual spending may vary.

Fall Semester: $0
Spring Semester: $0

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Student Financial Aid allows students to request a financial aid estimate when planning an education abroad experience. Students can bring the completed worksheet of your preferred program to a meeting with a Student Financial Aid Counselor.

Budget Worksheets

Academic Year Fall Semester Spring Semester

Participation Costs

For SU-Exchange programs, students are billed Seattle University (1) Tuition, (2) Technology Fee, and (3) Global Medical Insurance. Housing costs are separate and American College of Greece may require additional fees; these and estimated additional expenses are outlined in the program's detailed Budget Worksheet. Students are encouraged to complete the Budget Worksheet and discuss applicable financial aid with Student Financial Services.

Payment

For SU-Exchange programs, pay your Seattle University bill through your MySeattleU Student Account for the term(s) you are abroad. Payment deadlines align with Seattle University's quarterly deadlines and you can sign-up for a payment plan as usual. Additional expenses not included in your Seattle University bill, like housing, special course fees, and optional excursions, may be billed to you directly by American College of Greece and/or their affiliate housing company. Consult the Budget Worksheet for a breakdown of estimate additional expenses.

Insurance

When you participate in an SU-Exchange program at Seattle University, you are enrolled in comprehensive travel and global medical insurance through On-Call International for the duration of your program. Seattle University bills the insurance cost to your MySeattleU account.

Scholarships

There are many study abroad scholarships for all program types. The application process may be easier than you think, but planning ahead is key. Deadlines are often 6-8 months in advance of departure. Check out the Scholarship section of Seattle University Education Abroad website for more information on scholarships and how to apply.

Scholarship Opportunities Cost Comparison Calculator

Student Journey

Approximate Timeline	Phase	More details
Sept-Jan	Exploration	Students will work with Education Abroad and various supporters (family, academic advisor, etc.) to find a program that best fits student's academic, personal, and professional goals.
Feb 1	Apply	Students will have the opportunity to apply to SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs during next academic year in the Fall around November. The hard deadline is February 1st.
Late Feb/Early Mar	Nominations	Education Abroad Office will nominate selected students for SU-Sponsored and SU-Exchange programs.
Mar-May (Fall) Sept-Dec (Winter) Jan-March (Spring)	Preparation	Students will complete secondary applications for program providers/host university in preparation of going abroad. Additional preparatory steps include pre-departure orientation, courses approvals, Health Check, Visa application, planning housing arrangements (abroad & Seattle), immunizations, etc.

Application Steps

Complete Module I of Global Engagement with Education Abroad Canvas course, including Education Abroad 101 and attending a Planning Meeting with your Education Advisor.
Complete the SU-Sponsored/SU-Exchange Program Application in Module II of the Canvas course by February 1 for selected program.

If you haven’t joined the Education Abroad Canvas Course yet, Join Now!

Climate

Spring (March to May): Mild with temperatures between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), ideal for outdoor exploration and sightseeing. Rain is infrequent.
Summer (June to August): Hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F), especially in southern regions and islands. Coastal areas experience cooler sea breezes.
Autumn (September to November): Warm at the start, cooling towards November with temperatures from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Occasional rain showers.
Winter (December to February): Mild in coastal areas (10°C to 15°C / 50°F to 59°F), colder inland and in mountainous regions (0°C to 10°C / 32°F to 50°F), with some snow in the highlands.

Travel Resources

Air: Major airports include Athens International Airport, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion. Visit Visit Greece for more travel details.
Train: Greece has a limited rail network, but major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki are connected. Intercity trains (OSE) offer travel options.
Public Transport: Buses and metro services operate in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. Ferries connect the mainland to the islands.

Cultural Resources

Historical Sites: Greece is known for ancient landmarks such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, Delphi, and the islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
Language: The official language is Greek, but English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Festivals: Popular events include the Athens Epidaurus Festival, Thessaloniki International Film Festival, and Easter celebrations.

Food & Diet

Cuisine: Traditional Greek dishes include moussaka, gyros, tzatziki, souvlaki, and spanakopita. Olive oil, fresh vegetables, and seafood are central to the diet.
Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly available, with many traditional dishes like horiatiki (Greek salad) being naturally plant-based.

Embassy/Consulate

U.S. Embassy in Athens: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Ave, 10160 Athens (Phone: +30 210 721-2951)

Identity-Specific Considerations

Accessibility: Modern buildings and facilities in major cities are increasingly accessible, but older buildings may pose challenges. Public transportation is improving accessibility.
LGBTQ+: Greece has become more accepting of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in urban areas and popular tourist destinations like Athens and Mykonos. However, public attitudes can be conservative in rural areas.
Religion: Greece is predominantly Greek Orthodox, which plays a significant cultural and social role, though religious freedom is protected, and minority religions are present.
Race & Ethnicity: Greece has a diverse population, including immigrant communities, but racial and ethnic minorities may face social and economic challenges, particularly in rural areas.
Gender: Gender equality is advancing in Greece, with legal protections in place, but traditional gender roles and wage disparities still influence society.

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?
A visa is a permission granted by a country that allows foreign nationals to enter and reside there temporarily. Applicants typically need to provide documentation such as an acceptance letter from the educational institution, proof of financial means, and health insurance. Student visas come with specific regulations regarding work rights, travel restrictions, and duration of stay, varying by country.

Below is a brief overview of the current visa requirements for your program. Note that countries may amend visa requirements at any time, so it will be important to follow all instructions given by American College of Greece.

You will attend a visa pre-departure webinar with the ACG Study Abroad team, covering all aspects of the student visa application process. As part of the process, you must complete a background check, which can be done at any time. Once your acceptance to ACG is finalized, you will receive an email requesting information for your visa letter. After receiving your visa letter from ACG, you can schedule your visa appointment. Visa appointments, especially at Greek consulates, often do not open until 1-2 months prior to departure—this is normal and not a cause for concern. The Greek Consulate in San Francisco can be particularly difficult to reach. You should email (not call) to request an appointment, ensuring a paper trail of your communication. It may take multiple attempts to get a response, so persistence is key. American College of Greece will offer additional information and guidance before departure and on-site; however, the decision to grant admission into the country is not in American College of Greece’s nor Seattle University's control. Keep in mind that entry requirements are specific to the length of your stay, citizenship, and the type of activities you will be engaged in. It is your responsibility to determine specific entry requirements and stipulations prior to the start of your program.

American College of Greece Exchange

About this Program

Program Highlights

Level of Immersion

Features

Housing Abroad

Housing at Seattle University

Housing Residence Life

Housing Application

Disciplines

Courseload

Credit Conversion

Academic Policy & Minimum Grade Requirement:

Transfer Credits

Placeholder Course

Program Fees

Requesting a Financial Aid Estimate

Budget Worksheets

Participation Costs

Payment

Insurance

Scholarships

Student Journey

Application Steps

Climate

Travel Resources

Cultural Resources

Food & Diet

Embassy/Consulate

Identity-Specific Considerations

Visa Requirements

What is a Visa?

The experience at a glance

Map