Are you looking for a classic summer in more than one sense of the word? Doing a study abroad program in Greece during your summer break means you’ll have an experience that sits atop your personal Pantheon of adventures. You’ll reach new heights, all while gaining credit between spring and fall semesters.
Summer is such a great time to do a study abroad program in Greece that it will have you saying, “Opa!” Read on to learn more.
Beaches
Poseidon, god of the sea, truly blessed the shores of Greece with amazing beaches, and summer is when they come alive. On both the mainland and the many Greek islands, you’ll find that each beach features white sands and crystal blue water that sparkles. One popular beach is Voidokilia, about 2.5 hours outside of Athens, which is characteristically shaped like the Greek character of omega (Ω). Make sure you hike up some of the surrounding landscape so you can get a better view of it. There’s also Red Beach. At first glance, it may seem obvious how it got its name, but on closer inspection you’ll find the surrounding volcanic rocks actually consist of a subtle, beautiful mix of many colors!
Adventure
Not much of a beach bum? There are plenty of other outdoor adventures to be had in Greece during the summer. For hikers, there’s the cliffs of Meteora, featuring monasteries built starting in the 9th century. They were designed for optimum tranquility so that monks could pray in peace. There’s also the Alonnisos Marine Park, where you can visit the local population of Mediterranean monk seals, in addition to other wildlife like turtles and dolphins.
History
Known as the cradle of Western civilization, as well as the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, political science and the Olympic Games, let’s just say Greece has been around for a while. If you’re a history buff, watch your history books come to life on the daily. With legendary locations such as Delphi, believed to be home to Phythia, the oracle who was consulted in many ancient tales, and Olympia, named for literally being the place where they invented the Olympics, there’s no shortage of ancient history to explore. The best part? Since the sun stays out longer during the summer and these destinations have extended hours, you can get as much Greek history in as possible!
Food
Greek food is renowned all over the world, but the summer menu is especially tasty. Fruits and vegetables are at their ripest during this season, making dishes such as gemista (tomatoes and green peppers stuffed with rice), moussaka (eggplant with ground meat) or horiatiki (Greek salad) really pop. Plus, there’s nothing better than eating at a taverna (Greek restaurant) outside, enjoying the heat and the sea breeze.
Island Hopping
While seemingly not a large country, keep in mind that Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin and includes thousands of islands. Summer in Greece invites locals and tourists alike to go on their own little Odysseys through networks of ferries between islands, so doing a study abroad program here means you’ll have access to these kinds of adventures. A few local island favorites include Santorini (featuring one of the few active volcanoes in Greece), Paro (famous for its Greek tapas), Anafi (who historically gave shelter to Jason and the Argonauts), and Ios (home of Byzantine churches and a laidback, hippy sort of vibe).
If traveling to Greece during any other season sounds like Greek to your ears, check out AIFS Abroad’s summer study abroad programs.
If you’re considering a summer study abroad program in Greece, you’ve come to the right place. Here at AIFS Abroad, we offer incredible program options in Athens, a great jumping off point to the rest of the peninsula and other parts of Europe. With inclusions such as tuition, housing, insurance, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in Greek life and world-renowned culture while earning college credits in between spring and fall semester. Are you ready?
