Youth For Understanding USA
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What kind of exchange experience do you want?
I want to spend a all program lengths  studying in Greece, or maybe all regions. And I'm looking for something with a traditional exchange  and I definitely want to show off my need for  any language skills. Can I go whenever?
  • All around the world.

    all regions
    Africa & Middle East
    Asia & Pacific
    Eastern Europe
    Latin America
    Scandinavian Countries
    Western Europe
    North America
  • Pick a place, any place.

    Say what?

    Any language requirements?

     Any  Yes  No
  • What I'm into.

    a traditional exchange
    a gap year option
    college & university programs
    language classes
    a connection to the Arts
    sports & outdoors
    a volunteer program
  • How long I want to go.

    All program lengths
    Summer
    Short-term
    Semester
    Year-long

    When can I leave?

    whenever
    May to September
    December to March
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Glance

Scholarships Available

64 - Chevron Culture and Travel Prog...
368 - YFU Community Grant
384 - YFU Financial Aid Fund

Age Requirement

Students should be between 13 and 16 years old. 2019 Summer program: August 4, 2002 - July 14, 2006. Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Language

Greek. Previous language study is not required. The program includes 4 hours of Greek language training.

Host Family Placement

All host families live in and around Volos, a coastal city about 4 hours north of Athens.

Trips

Multiple day trips are included in the program to such sites as Athens, Skiathos, Meteora, and Santorini.

Pastimes

Water sports, days at the beach, discos, and movies.

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 and whatever you do!
Learn more about Greece.

Middle School & Junior High School Summer Program

Discover Greece: Mythology, Archeology, and More     

Tentative 2019 Dates: July 13 - August 3

 

Imagine sun-drenched beaches, historic sites like the Parthenon and Acropolis, amazing Mediterranean food, and a family of hospitable and friendly Greeks. Imagine enjoying all of this for three weeks during your YFU summer program. Not only will your YFU experience be lots of fun, you'll also learn about one of the oldest and most rich cultures in the world. An educational program filled with museum visits, walking tours, Greek lessons, and a science project, you will get a chance to soak up thousands of years of history while host family stays will introduce you to modern Greek culture as well.  You'll also have plenty of time to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings, with boat trips, swimming, and time exploring picturesque Greek islands. 

 

This unique YFU program is especially geared towards younger travelers and middle school and early high school students are encouraged to apply.  All students will live with host families in and around Volos and will participate in organized activities and day trips as a group.   

 

Educators:  Please note that this program can be offered as a YFU Classroom Excursion group trip for your students. Please contact YFU as soon as possible if you are interested in becoming a chaperone or any customizations for your group.  To learn more about YFU Classroom Excursions, please see our catalog and fill out an interest form here for information and next steps.

 

Tentative Itinerary (subject to change) 

Day 1: Departure from U.S.
Day 2: Arrival in Athens. Stay in a hotel in Athens. 
Day 3: Athens- Visit the ancient ruins of the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Archeological Museum. 
Day 4: Athens- Visit the National Archeological Museum. Travel to Volos and meet host families.
Day 5: Volos- Orientation Day in Volos. Visit Makrinitsa, a village on Mount Pilion. 
Day 6: Walking tour of Volos. Visit the Volos Archeological Museum. 
Day 7: Free time with host families.
Day 8: Free time with host families. Go swimming with your host siblings and new friends. 
Day 9: Free time with host families. 
Day 10: Take a mini cruise in the Aegean Sea during a trip to the island of Skiathos. 
Day 11: Lecture on the UNESCO World Heritage site Meteora and the 16th century Eastern Orthodox monastaries. 
Day 12: Visit to the Meteora monastaries and to the Natural History museum.  
Day 13: Greek language lesson. Bake cookies together. 
Day 14: Participate in a science project and learn about aquaponics at the University of Volos.
Day 15: Olive oil tasting at a local factory.
Day 16: Free time with host families.
Day 17: Greek language lesson.
Day 18: Farewell party by the sea. 
Day 19: Departure from Volos by mini bus to Santorini.
Day 20: Santorini- Take a plane or ferry to the island. Day trip around the island, visit a local museum with ruins of an ancient village destroyed by an earthquake and volcanic eruption. 
Day 21: Santorini- Boat trip around the island. 
Day 22: Departure for home from Athens. 

 

Tuition Includes

-Placement with a host family and all other accommodations (hotel stays)  
-Transportation and admission to cultural excursions and activities
-Airport transfers
-Domestic and international travel
-All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
-Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
-Support from a YFU Greece Area Representative while on program

-Comprehensive insurance

Additional Information: 

Meals, drinks and snacks are included in most of the YFU programming. Students should bring an International Student ID card to receive free admission to most museums and monuments. Students are also advised to bring a small backpack for day trips and to pack lightly for the small flight to Santorini to avoid additional luggage fees. Program tuition does not include personal spending money.

Programs Code Departure Return Full Tuition
Short-term
Greece Classroom Excursion

1490  

mid July

early August

TBD
Summer
Discover Greece

0069  

mid July

early August

$4,995