Greece

Philoksenia is a combination of philo—to love—and xenos—stranger or guest. As a YFU summer student in Greece, you will undoubtedly experience philoksenia wherever you go, whatever you do, and especially within your host family.

It’s not uncommon for Greek households to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Greeks traditionally express their emotions freely so you should get ready for generous Greek hospitality. Expect to eat well while you are in Greece, but at different times than you are used to eating with lunch as the main meal and a light dinner in the late evening.

An important feature of Greek culture for the first-time visitor is the Mediterranean attitude toward time. Greeks generally think in the present and tend not to organize their days to the hour. One of the most vivid examples of Greek culture is Greek religious holidays. Since 97 percent of the population belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church, it’s likely that you will get to see one of the festivals marking a patron saint’s day.

Considered the cradle of democracy, Greek history unwinds from the most ancient of times to the present day in a colorful scroll. While city-states began developing about 1000 BC, ancient Greek civilization reached the highest point of its glory in 400 BC. Western civilization owes much of its knowledge about justice, liberty, and law to the ancient Greeks, who also gave the world a vibrant heritage in the arts, science, and philosophy.

Year Program

School in Greece begins in mid-Sepember. It starts at 8:15 and finishes at 2:30 at the latest. Not all days are the same, and sometimes you might finish earlier. You’ll most probably walk to school, and later, when you have made friends, you’ll be meeting other students on the way and lingering on the way back. Students stay in one class, and teachers are the ones changing rooms when the lesson is over.  If an exchange student decides not to take the end of the year exams, he or she is expected to work somewhere on a volunteer basis. The places he or she could volunteer to work at include soup kitchens run by the church, retirement homes, nursery schools, or any other charity he or she chooses. For additional expenses, short optional trips to Athens, Thessaloniki and Delphi may be offered during the year program.

Summer Program

Discover Greece
Imagine sun-drenched beaches, historic sites like the Parthenon and Acropolis, and a family of hospitable and friendly Greeks. Imagine enjoying all of the above for six weeks during your YFU summer program. Not only will your YFU experience be a lot of fun, you'll also learn about a culture and people different from your own. This intensive experience will benefit you immediately and in the years to come.

At your arrival orientation, you'll talk with YFU staff and volunteers about subjects such as ancient and modern Greece and take excursions to archeological sites and museums.

On an optional two-day trip to Athens arranged by YFU Greece, you may find yourself climbing to the Acropolis (meaning "high city") to walk along its ancient ruins and explore its long and glorious history. You'll also discover historical and other treasures as you enjoy this fabled city. Other cultural evenings will be available during the six week program for additional costs.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Greece, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Greek language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of Greece in Washington, DC web site

"My experience was wonderful. It has enriched my sense of the world." - Stephanie Madia

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: August, 2007