Semester in Greece
Missouri-Greece Program - Study Abroad Program in Greece
This program is open to all students from any university provided they have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Missouri-Greece member campuses include UMSL, UMKC, UCM, Lincoln, Truman, MSSU, SEMO, and MOS&T. Students from the above campuses should apply through their home campus. All other students should check with their home institution study abroad office and apply through UMSL.
Semester in Greece SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS - available for all qualified UMSL students! |
Spring 2009 Participants photos by Michelle Rowe |
Program Information
Program Costs
Application Procedures
Important Dates
Description and Objectives
Greece and Greek culture have exercised a tremendous influence on European and North American civilization.
The Semester in Greece is a wonderful educational and cultural experience, offering to students the opportunity to study in Greece through a semester-long curriculum combining regular classes, field trips, and independent studies. The Program is open for credit to students from any university, provided they have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students can register for up to 15 credit hours of courses on various subjects in nearly every major. Students take classes and receive transfer credit from The American College of Greece-DEREE located on a breathaking hillside at the edge of Athens.
When can I go?
The Semester in Greece program is offered during the Spring semester. The 2012 Program dates are February 21 - June 16, 2012.
Academic Credit and Content
Students will enroll full-time during their semester in Greece, and will return with 12-15 credit hours of transfer credit from The American College of Greece-DEREE (U.S. Accredited). Students are required to attend all classes, field trips, and required orientations. With the exception of language courses, all classes are taught in English.
Accommodations and Travel
Just two blocks from campus in the Aghia Paraskevi suburb, students will live in one, two, or three bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, full bathroom(s), and huge balconies. Standard bedrooms are shared with two single beds, sides tables, and lots of closet space. The building includes internet access, a fitness center, and free laundry facilities.
Students are responsible for their own airfare and travel to Athens.
Greek Cultural Immersion
With a 90% Greek student body, students will benefit from a full cultural immersion experience with plenty of opportunities to make friends and learn about Greek culture. There are many clubs and organizations that you can join, including the Philoxenia Program, designed to connect Greek students with study abroad students. Other clubs include the hiking club, film club, environmental club, and more!
Library, Computer, and Athletic Facilities
DEREE's library is one of the largest private libraries in Europe. Students will have access to library resources and staff. The campus also has state-of-the-art computer labs with free internet access and printing services available. The Olympic-quality fitness facilities include a fitness center, an Olympic size swimming pool, soccer field and track, basketball arena, climbing wall, tennis courts and more. DEREE was the 2004 U.S. Olympic team official training site.
Residence Visa
Since students will be staying longer than 90 days, they will be required to obtain a residence visa in Greece. DEREE has a visa officer who will work with students to gather the required documents. Students will need to apply for a visa at their local Greek Consulate.
Financial Aid / Scholarships
UMSL Students can utilize their financial aid towards the semester in Greece. ISP and external scholarships are available to qualified UMSL students. Students can also apply for the Hellenic Legacy Scholarship through the Greek America Foundation. Non-UMSL participants should check with their university’s Financial Aid Office and Study Abroad Office for more details.
How much does it cost?
Below are the Spring 2012 estimated costs for one semester for the Semester in Greece program. All students pay the Program Fee plus any home campus charges (please check with your school for applicable charges). Please note, additionally, there is a surcharge of $250 for students from a MOCON campus that is not a full partner and $500 surcharge for a student from a non-MOCON campus. (Please check with your school to see if they are members).
Program Fee of €6900* includes:
- Up to 15 credit hours of tuition (students must enroll for a minimum 12 credits hours). Please note that, on top of these fees, there is a surcharge of $250 for students from a MOCON campus that is not a full partner and $500 surcharge for a student from a non-MOCON campus.
- Student housing - double occupancy bedroom in a student residence apartment for the duration of the program. Apartment is fully furnished and features onsite residence assistant, laundry facilities and 24/7 fitness center.
- Visa Assistance through DEREE.
- Transportation to and from the Athens airport during move-in and move-out days upon request.
- Welcome reception and guide.
- Use of facilities, including computer lab, student lounge, library, and athletic facilities.
- Access to the onsite doctor and nurse for non-emergency health issues.
- Various excursions to archaeological and cultural sites.
- Complimentary cultural activities such as Greek dancing and Greek cooking classes.
- Official ACG-DEREE transcript sent to home institution.
- * Program fee will be paid in euro. Students are responsible for any flucuation in exchange rate.
Not included in Program Fee: airfare ($1000-$1500), meals and personal expenses ($1000-2500), books, any home campus charges, and mandatory sickness & accident insurance through HTH Worldwide ($35/month, registration details will be sent upon acceptance). Please note that expenses are ESTIMATES. Costs vary depending on the exchange rate, the inflation rate, individual spending habits, and amount of extra travel.
The cost estimate above does not include personal expenses or independent travel, which vary widely from student to student.
How do I apply?
All UMSL Students and students from Non-Member schools applying through UMSL for the Semester in Greece program will need to submit the following documents to the Study Abroad Office by the deadline of November 1, 2011.
1. Semester in Greece Application Form (send in via mail to UMSL or your MOCON home campus)
2. ACG Program Application (apply online through ACG)
3. One letter of reference (Non-MOCON member students)
4. One letter of recommendation (use this form and forward to ACG)
5. Official Transcript (send directly to ACG in Greece) Non-MOCON students will need to send a second copy to UMSL.
6. Copy of Passport (send directly to ACG in Greece)
7. Non-MOCON member students must also be a $500.00 surcharge
8. UMSL Students: Scholarship application and scholarship essay
UMSL Required Documents may be sent to the below address:
Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC
Attn: Semester in Greece
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
ACG Required Documents must be completed online or sent via mail to
The American College of Greece
Attn: Jesus Kalergis
6 Gravias Street
GR-153 42 Aghia Paraskevi
Athens, Greece
We offer a priority deadline of Friday, September 23, 2011 for all Faculty-Led Spring Program Applications. This allows you to have priority reviews of your application or early acceptance. If possible, please return documents and fees before their deadline. Failure to complete and return materials and deposits by deadlines may result in your dismissal from the program.
Upon your acceptance to the program, additional forms will be mailed or emailed to you. The balance of fees is due by TBA.
All students from other MO Greece member campuses should apply directly through their home campuses. (University of Missouri-Kansas City, Missouri Central State University, Missouri Southern State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri University for Science & Technology, Truman State University, and Lincoln University)
Important Dates:
Priority Application Deadline: September 23, 2011
Application and Deposit Deadline: November 1, 2011
Acceptance Documents Deadline: Early November, TBA
Remaining Program Fee Deadline: TBA
Online Orientation Completion: Early November, TBA
Mandatory In Person Oriention (UMSL Students only): November 4, 2011
Move-In Dates: February 21 & 22, 2012
Welcome Reception: February 22 or 23, 2012
Orientation: February 24, 2012
First Day of Class and Campus Tour: February 28, 2012
Easter Recess: April 7-22, 2012
Easter Excursion: April 2012 exact dates TBA
Final Exams: June 11-15, 2012
Move-Out Date:
June 16, 2012
How can I learn more?
Contact:
Amy Fillo
Semester in Greece - Study Abroad Coordinator
314-516-6497
FilloA@umsl.edu
Advice/Feedback from past Semester in Greece participants:
"[In my journal, I] put down ‘best day ever’ many times." - 2011 Participant
"Wow, strawberries and oranges in February!" - 2011 Participant
"I wished I had known about the program [earlier], I could have applied for more scholarships." - 2011 Participant
"At first the Modern Greek history was really hard: names, dates, wars and stuff but [I'm] glad to know it now because it explains other things. - 2011 Participant
"It is definitely possible to get by only speaking English, but knowing Greek will help with local interactions. I took a Greek class while I was there and it was awesome to immediately go out and put what I learned to use. Most locals were more than happy to help with the language and they loved it when you put forth the effort to try and communicate in Greek." - 2010 Participant
"Anyone interested in archeology, anthropology, or even history should consider this program." - 2010 Participant
"Weekends were open for doing any sight-seeing on the islands and other areas of Greece ... Definitely go visit the islands if there is time... I've never seen anything as beautiful as the Mediterranean sunset from the beach in Crete." - 2010 Participant
Last modified December 5, 2011