Cornish - American College of Greece Exchange
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About this Program
With a 90% Greek student body, you'll enjoy a full cultural immersion experience with plenty of opportunities to make friends and learn about Greek culture. The American College of Greece (ACG) is located in one of the world's most renowned and safe cities. Its idyllic campus is the springboard for exploring Athens and the nearby Greek islands with a full range of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. The American College of Greece is a private college with 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 17/1 with over 350 international students from 56 countries. For over 139 years, ACG has been offering transformative education and cultivating cultural collaboration between Greece and the United States.
Program Highlights
- Language(s) of Instruction:
- English
- Courses with Locals
- Local University Program
- Internship Opportunities
- No Language Pre-Requisites
- Housing is not included in the program fee. The program will provide housing in the following accommodation types:|Apartment
- Winter Quarter Housing applications open in November
- Spring Quarter Housing applications open in February
- Fall Quarter Housing applications open in May
Level of Immersion
Features
Housing Abroad
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 preference as best as they can.
Housing Application
Check the Housing Portal for more specific dates
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 student's 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: Not specified
- Quarter Range: Not specified
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 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
No valid buttons givenParticipation 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
Insurance
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.
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.