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Center for Global Education Greece Study Abroad

Studying in Athens, Greece for a Semester

January 13, 2025 • 6 min read

A person with long hair stands smiling on a stone pathway with traditional white buildings and a blue-domed church in the background. Colorful flags hang above, and the sky is clear. The setting is reminiscent of a Mediterranean town.
Madeleine Gaunt pictured on the Greek island of Santorini.

As the semester study abroad application deadline is quickly approaching (noon on Tuesday, February 4th!), Bennies and Johnnies are in the process of deciding which program they will apply to. At this time last year, junior Madeleine Gaunt was going through the same discernment process, ultimately deciding to apply to study abroad in Athens, Greece during the fall semester. We asked Madeleine to share with us her reasons for choosing Greece for a semester study abroad experience.

What motivated you to study abroad in Greece?

“I chose to study abroad in Greece due to the rich history, the wide range of classes, and the setup of the program,” Madeleine shared. As a Peace Studies major and Hispanic Studies and Political Science minor, Madeleine was able to take courses that transferred back to CSB and SJU for major or minor credit. In addition to that, the setup she refers to involves the following aspects:

  1. The Athens, Greece semester program is led by a faculty director from CSB and SJU who teaches a Study Abroad Seminar exclusively for CSB and SJU students on the program, providing an opportunity to continue building community while abroad.
  2. There is a wide course selection across multiple disciplines at our partner study center run by College Year in Athens (CYA), where students take classes alongside their CSB and SJU peers as well as other university students from other institutions around the United States.
  3. Like many study abroad programs, this one offers an abundance of outside-the-classroom learning experiences, including field studies and volunteer opportunities.

“Greece has so much history to explore, from Ancient Greece to the Ottoman Empire and all the way to present day with the refugee crisis. I found this long history fascinating, especially since I was not very familiar with Greece before studying abroad,” Madeleine continues. “I was able to take classes for my major while also branching out and trying new things. I also got to live with my friends from CSB+SJU while attending classes with students from across the U.S. I made a lot of great connections through my classes and the amazing field studies that CYA took us on.”

A group of nine people sitting on a stone wall, with a cat nearby. In the background, the Acropolis of Athens is visible under a cloudy sky at sunset. The atmosphere is relaxed and scenic.
Madeleine and friends watching the sunset from the Panathenaic Stadium with the Acropolis in the background while studying in Athens, Greece.

What were your living arrangements like?

“We lived in apartments within a 6-minute walk from CYA. I lived in a spacious, furnished apartment with five other Bennies, and it was a great experience! My roommates and I became great friends over the semester, and it was super fun to get to know my fellow Bennies better!”

Name a few highlights from your classes

“I learned so much inside the classroom but also got to participate in so many amazing field trips and site visits with my classes! It was truly a well-rounded learning experience.” Some of the highlights include:

  1. Taking a Greek cooking class as part of the Study Abroad Seminar
  2. Going on field trips to the Acropolis and National Archeological Museum with the “Life & Death in Ancient Athens” class
  3. Visiting an old refugee camp with the “Trauma and the Remaking of Self” class
Two women in a kitchen wearing aprons are preparing ingredients. One is holding a jar, and the other is assisting. There are cutting boards, a red knife, and jars on the wooden counter. People in the background are also preparing food.
Madeleine and classmates at a Greek cooking class as part of their Study Abroad Seminar.
Two people smiling and posing in front of ancient Greek ruins at sunset, with tall marble columns in the background. One is wearing a pink cardigan, and the other has a sunflower-patterned jacket.
Madeleine and friend StellaRae at the Temple of Poseidon.

How did this study abroad program help you grow?

“Personally, I became much more independent over my semester in Greece. While I certainly had a support system in Greece, I had to rely on myself a lot more in challenging situations. In addition, I also grew a lot professionally as I volunteered at a multilingual library in Athens. I learned a lot about working in global environments and teamwork across language barriers. I also gained professional connections and expanded my network. Finally, all my classes pushed me to grow academically. All my professors are very knowledgeable and showed me new perspectives of the world. I also learned so much from my classmates since my peers were from schools from across the U.S. They had so many unique experiences, perspectives, and knowledge to share. I definitely learned to think outside the box and collaborate with people who come from different backgrounds than me.”

What are your most memorable moments from studying abroad in Greece?

  1. Watching the sunset from the Panathenaic Stadium with my friends.
  2. Seeing the monasteries on the cliffsides in Meteora in northern Greece.
  3. Exploring the different islands.
  4. Seeing the Acropolis for the first time.
  5. Seeing the views from the summit of Mt. Olympus.
A group of five people smiles at the camera with a scenic backdrop of mountainous cliffs and a valley. The sky is overcast. They are standing near a railing, dressed in casual clothing, and appear to be enjoying their outing.
Madeleine and friends at the monasteries on the cliffsides in Meteora in northern Greece.
A person with long red hair, wearing a light blue long-sleeve shirt and blue cap, stands on a rocky mountain summit. They are smiling with a background of clouds and blue sky.
At the top of Mt. Olympus while on a weekend hike!
A group of people sitting in a crowded outdoor stadium. Three young women in the foreground are smiling and taking a selfie. The stadium is filled with spectators, and there are large screens and Olympic rings in the background.
Attending a concert at the Panathenaeic Stadium.

What advice would you share with students considering studying abroad?

“Just go for it! There are so many programs to choose from that offer great opportunities for people of all interests and majors! You grow so much and make so many lasting connections with local people as well as your peers during a semester abroad. There is truly no experience like it. There are also many financial support options and scholarships for study abroad! If you have any concerns, you can always reach out to your on-campus resources like CGE, Study Abroad Alums, the Financial Aid Office, and more.”

Apply to study abroad in Greece in fall 2025!

Applications are now open for the 2025 fall semester program in Athens, Greece! Bennies and Johnnies will be accompanied by faculty director Jean Lavigne from the CSB and SJU Environmental Studies department for the duration of the semester. Students can apply on the Global Portal, and applications are due by noon on Tuesday, February 4th. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage globally with CSB and SJU!

Scholarships for study abroad are available. Students can peruse available scholarships on the Center for Global Education’s myCSBSJU page and/or inquire within the Center for Global Education.