by Aria Socratous
Some accredited and distinguished universities offer intensive educational and culturally immersive study abroad programs for Greek students who want to study at American Universities and for US students who want to explore Greek culture and civilization. The National Herald talked to Professors and Directors involved to study abroad programs, colleges in the US that offer such programs and Greek colleges that are part of it.
According to the Program Manager for South Africa, Italy and Greece, Emma Gottbrath, the College of Global Studies has been running Arcadia University program in Athens since 1990, headed by the Director, Jan Sanders. Over the years hundreds of students attend from universities all over the United States. “Our cohort of students is typically smaller (under thirty) which provides a lot of one on one time with our excellent faculty who teach on-site throughout Athens. In recent years we added an internship option for our students where our ever diligent Assistant Director, Joanna Simos, works to place students in Greek businesses, organizations, and NGOs.”, she contends.
The list of courses offered on the program are Modern Greek, Ancient Greek, Latin, Athens on Site: Archeology and the City, Contemporary Greek society, Political Economy of the EU: Crisis and Change, Conserving Biodiversity and Ecosystems, The History of Modern Greece, Picturing Athens: Introduction to Photography and others. Most of the courses are offered every semester, but Arcadia University tries to curate the offerings to match student interests and current events as well. As Emma Gottbrath says “We just added political science courses addressing crisis and terrorism. This helps students put what they may have heard about Greece previously into a more well informed context. We also have kept with the tradition of teaching Classical languages. Our internship program is a definite highlight for students looking to bolster their work experience in preparation for an international career or post-grad education abroad. In their placements, they work alongside Greeks and see how different a European workplace can be. Additionally, many of our placements are international themselves–Doctor’s of the World, International Alliance of Women, Munting Nayon Cultural School. These organizations encourage international bonds; taking advantage of our globalized world to make changes for the better.”
For Arcadia in Greece program it is required a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and their home university’s approval to study abroad for consideration. For the Athens Internship Program it is required a 2.8 GPA, their home university’s approval, a character reference and their resume for consideration.
“Our internship program is a definite highlight for students looking to bolster their work experience in preparation for an international career or post-grad education abroad. In their placements, they work alongside Greeks and see how different a European workplace can be. Additionally, many of our placements are international themselves–Doctor’s of the World, International Alliance of Women, Munting Nayon Cultural School. These organizations encourage international bonds; taking advantage of our globalized world to make changes for the better.”Gottbrath contends.
