Heritage Greece® Program, Athens
Journey Through Democracy – A Learning Adventure in Greece
June 23-July 5, 2025
The Heritage Greece® Program is an unforgettable two-week educational and cultural immersion experience for students of Greek descent as well as for any student with an active interest in things Greek.
The Heritage Greece® Program was developed by the National Hellenic Society as part of its mission to celebrate and preserve Greek heritage in the United States. Heritage Greece® is a generous offer by the NHS to American students of Hellenic descent or philhellenes.
During these two weeks students will experience a wide variety of activities in some of the most famous ancient and modern landmarks of the world, such as the Acropolis of Athens, its Ancient Agora, the archaeological site of Delphi and the Panathenaic Stadium, home of the first modern Olympic Games (1896). The modern state of Greece will be explored and discussed in depth through visits to the Parliament and to modern think-tanks. Students will personally experience the cultures of ancient and modern Greece, explore together the Hellenic Heritage and create long-lasting bonds with one another.
The Heritage Greece® experience continues long after the return from Greece. The Heritage Greece® Program is designed to keep Hellenic heritage and Greek identity vibrant, relevant and inclusive.
Course Details
Program Overview
- Explore the concept of Democracy from its inception in ancient Greece to today’s world-wide reality.
- Learn through a series of discussions and stimulating group activities
- Visit world-famous sites such as the Acropolis of Athens, the famous Assembly of the Athenians and the spectacular sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- Also visit contemporary landmarks like the Greek Parliament and the Panathenaic Stadium, home of the first modern Olympics.
- Experience Greek culture’s extent as observed in diverse places, such as the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center and the Athens Central Market.
- Engage in exciting discussions on military and economic matters, the politics of the past and present and, why not, the future.
- Reflect on the role of elected representatives, AI, modern technology, ancient and modern practices.
What is included, courtesy of the National Hellenic Society
The following expenses are free to the participants, covered by the NHS:
- Tuition & course materials
- Housing in residential apartments located in Pangrati, in central Athens, in double occupancy bedrooms.
- Transportation to program activities
- Some meals (lunch Monday through Friday when class is in session in Athens; when staying at a hotel, breakfast will be offered in lieu of lunch; some dinners)
- All program activities
Airfare & personal expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
Participants are responsible to make and pay for their own travel arrangements to and from Athens, Greece and for any local transportation between the airport and the CYA Academic Center or during your personal free time. Arrival information with instructions as to how to reach our Academic Center will be made available to participants beforehand.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you are:
• 18-26 years old and enrolled as an undergraduate/graduate student with a 3.0+ GPA
• A US/Canadian citizen who is a philhellene* or of Hellenic descent**
• Preferably (not mandatory) visiting Greece for the first time
* A philhellene is an individual with an active interest in ancient or modern Greece. This interest is understood as one of the following: being admitted in one (at least) course on ancient or modern Greek language, art and archaeology of Greece, modern and/or ancient Greek history, classical studies and ancient civilizations with a focus on Greece; having participated in a field or indoors project that took place in Greece (e.g. excavation, survey, working in an NGO, etc); being a member of a society, club, research group that meets on a systematic basis and study or explore aspects of Greek culture and heritage. For other activities in relation to Greece that are not listed, please contact CYA via email.
** Hellenic descent is defined as having one or more parents, grandparents, or great grandparents born in Greece or Cyprus. Please note that siblings or first cousins of past and/or current participants, who meet the program’s eligibility criteria, may be considered but they must reimburse NHS for all expenses related to participation in the Heritage Greece Program.
How to Apply
Interested applicants need to complete CYA’s online application form.
Below is a complete list of items that need to be submitted for your application to be considered:
• Certificate of Participation Form
• Official Transcript
• One Letter of Recommendation
• Personal Statement (minimum of 500 works detailing your Hellenic descent or your active interest in Greece)
• If you plan on seeking credit for this course, please have your study abroad office complete the Study Abroad Approval Form which you will have access to when you start the CYA application. The course is 22 contact hours.
Within 7 days of your acceptance to the program, you will be required to submit the following items via CYA’s student portal:
• CYA’s Participation Agreement
• Obligatory Student Profile Form (Includes passport and medical information)
• Digital Headshot
• Photocopy of Passport Bio-Data page (page with your photo and expiration date)
• General Housing Form
More Information
For more information contact us at [email protected] or phone us at (617) 868 8200.
