In this unique program, you will live surrounded by thousands of years of history - Alexander the Great, Aristotle, classical Athens - and at the same time experience modern Greece as a crossroads between Western and Eastern cultures.

For the student seeking a unique study abroad site in Greece, the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is ideal. Thessaloniki is the "road less taken," a culturally intact city, small, diverse, youthful, and the gateway to Southeastern Europe.

You can learn more about the ACT program on their study abroad website and through their study abroad student handbook.

Students received University of Iowa resident credit for the courses taken on this program.

Academic Program

Coursework is available in the following areas:

• Division of Business: Accounting, business administration, economics, finance, management, and marketing.
• Division of Humanities & Social Sciences: Art history, communications, English, Greek, history, philosophy, psychology, politics, and sociology.
• Division of Technology & Science: Computer science, biology, physics, and mathematics.

Fall, Spring, and Academic Year

Students will take 12 s.h. to 15 s.h. during Fall or Spring I. Courses are taught in English. The list of current courses can be found here: ACT Course Offerings.

Summer

ACT's summer program is offered from mid June to mid July. UI students take 2 courses (3 s.h. each) for a total of 6 s.h. Note: The 3 s.h. only option is not available to UI students.

Enrolling in less than 6 semester hours, is only allowed if you enroll in a 4 s.h. science with a lab course, or the 5 s.h. Anthropology 215 course. Please note that students who enroll in less than 6 s.h. are not eligible for financial aid during the summer term.

The list of current courses can be found here: ACT Course Offerings.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course. The course approval process will be discussed when you meet with your study abroad advisor.

Cultural Activities

ACT offers a variety of optional field trips; some are included in the program fee paid by students while others have an additional out-of-pocket cost. You can learn more about these field trips on ACT's Field Trips webpage.

Service Learning

ACT offers a variety of opportunities for students to participate in local service projects. You can learn more about these opportunities on ACT’s Service Learning webpage.

Program Dates

This program is available for Fall, Spring, Academic Year, and Summer.

• Fall semesters are typically from mid September to mid December.
• Spring Semesters are typically from January to April, with an option to extend for an additional 6 weeks into June.
• Summer semesters are typically from mid June to mid July.

Spring Session Information

ACT offers two sessions for Spring: Spring I and Spring II. The Spring II session allows for students to take "extend" their Spring semester and complete an additional 6 s.h.; there would be an additional fee for adding this session on. Students can complete up to 21 s.h. if they enroll in Spring I and Spring II.

NOTE: UI Students are not allowed to enroll in Spring II session only.

You can find the specific dates for the upcoming sessions on the ACT Academic Calendar website.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with ACT, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email:study-abroad@uiowa.edu

American College of Thessaloniki

Video Tour of American College of Thessaloniki's campus

American College of Thessaloniki offers:

Greek Cultural Immersion
With a student body comprised of 50% Greeks and international students from approximately 30 countries, as well as a plethora of community outreach opportunities, visiting students find a valuable cultural immersion experience at ACT.

Vibrant Student Life
ACT is a warm, welcoming, and active community that offers students the chance to explore and develop through a wide range of workshops, clubs, field trips, and volunteer opportunities.

Cultural & Historical Exploration
Students visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Orthodox Monasteries dating from the 12th century, the beautiful beaches of Halkidiki, and, of course, the enchanting city of Thessaloniki!

Strong Student Support Services
The International Programs Office has staff dedicated to assist students with all needs. Pre-departure, staff in the ACT Boston office are there to answer questions and provide students with the support they need. Once students arrive in Greece, staff members orient them with the campus and life in Thessaloniki and provide information on co-curricular opportunities and ways to engage with Greece outside of the classroom. ACT even provides an on-site doctor in the event of health issues.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and has been characterized as the “Greek Youth Capital” for its large number of young permanent residents. More than 100,000 students give the city a completely unique pulse and vibe.

Visit Greece, Video of Thessaloniki

Greece

Greece is a modern European country with a strong democratic government and a developing economy. Much of the population of Greece is concentrated in a few major urban areas, with Athens hosting about one third of the country's population.

The Greek mainland occupies the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula, and it borders to the east with Turkey and to the north with Bulgaria, FYROM, and Albania. To the south and the west, Greece is touched by the Lybian sea and the Ionian sea, respectively.

The terrain of mainland Greece is mostly mountainous, while its seas are sprinkled with more than 2,000 islands. Historically, such terrain has induced the relative isolation and independence of Greece's various population groups. These groups exhibit unique variations in culture under a homogenous Greek identity rooted in history and Christian religion.

Student Blogs

Lauren Bannon, Spring 2015

Study abroad eve
One month in... the do's and don'ts
Why everyone should travel solo at least once...

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Apartments

ACT will provide students with off-campus housing apartments in a residential neighborhood.

The apartments are fully furnished (including kitchen appliances in individual studios or in common areas), and priority is given based on the date of application receipt. Both single and double-occupancy options are available. Off-campus housing locations are well served by the city’s reliable bus system, with buses running every 10 - 15 minutes.

For more information about housing options, please visit ACT's Housing webpage.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

Within Thessaloniki and around Greece, students will utilize public transportation such as buses, metro, and trains. Greeks are also very used to walking, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Thessaloniki is also well connected to the rest of the Greece and Europe by bus, train, and a major airport.

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 2.5 GPA: Students must have, at minimum, a 2.5 GPA to participate in this program. Applications from students who have a GPA below 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked and will be responsible for the associated withdrawal fees.
  
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing: Applicants must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing by the time the program begins to participate in this program.
  
• Approval by American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) and UI Study Abroad: Applications will be reviewed by ACT and by UI Study Abroad. Students will be accepted based on the review of their application materials.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming presented by UI Study Abroad and ACT. 

Costs

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Note about summer costs: Course fee and study abroad administrative fees are not reduced if students enroll in less than 6 semester hours.

Cost Sheets

The following cost sheet applies to the Summer 2024 session.

• Cost Sheet- Summer 2024

The following cost sheet applies to the Fall 2024 session.

• Cost Sheet- Fall 2024

The following cost sheets applies to the Spring 2025 session.

• Cost Sheet- Spring I, 2025
• Cost Sheet- Spring I and II, 2025

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• The course fee/tuition, housing costs, plane tickets and transportation costs, personal expenses, visa and immigration fees, and other costs of attendance per the ACT program website.

Cost sheets do not include the following optional costs:

Additional Optional Costs Paid to ACT

These fees are all optional and are not included in the course fee for the program. The cost should be paid directly to ACT. Failure to pay these fees will result in ACT withholding your transcript.

• Single Room Surcharge
• Additional Course Credits (12 credits included)
• Optional Trips/Outings

Optional fees vary by session, and will be available shortly before the upcoming session.

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

In addition, take a look at ACT’s Cost and Scholarships website for information about scholarships offered directly through your program provider.

How to Apply

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353.
• Meet with your academic advisor to review your program and ensure that it is a good match for your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Complete the ACT Application. Under I have a reference code, enter: DE8HA2. This code associates your application with the University of Iowa.

Acceptance

Acceptance decisions are made by ACT. Once you receive your official acceptance from ACT, your study abroad advisor and ACT will contact you with further information about documentation needed to complete the admission process.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Fall and Academic Year are due on February 24.

Applications for the Summer are due on March 4.

Applications for the Spring session are due on September 24.

Health & Safety Planning

In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

UI Financial Aid Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Visa

Program participants may be required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in Greece. ACT will provide you with visa instructions prior to departure.

US Citizens- If you are staying in Greece longer than 90 days, you must obtain a student visa prior to arrival in Greece. You cannot apply for the visa more than 90 days prior to arrival in Greece. Upon arrival in Greece, you will also be required to register with the local police station. The on-site staff will assist you with this process.

Refer to the Greek Consulate in Chicago webpage to see what is required for the visa.

Non-US Citizens- Greek immigration requirements vary for non-US passport holders. Refer to the Greek Consulate in Chicago webpage to see what is required for the visa.

UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments to provide details on the visa application process. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance on the Greek visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Prior to starting the visa application process check in with ACT for more information. They will let you know about important dates and deadlines you need to keep in mind.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Predeparture Resources

ACT will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. Ensure that you thoroughly review any information provided to you by ACT and refer back to it if you have any questions.

These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Be sure to check your e-mail often, so that you're aware of any updates or changes.