years-experience access-alumni-network airfare airport-pick-up assistance-with-application-process community-service-placement continuous-support cultural-trips domestic-transport emergency-support field-trips global-competence-certificate grade-transcripts host-family-placement housing individual-contact-person internship-placement language-instruction meals medical-insurance orientations-during-your-time-abroad other pre-departure-orientation product-materials re-entry-orientation school-dipolma school-materials school-placement school-transport school-uniform stipend teaching-materials vaccinations visa-and-passport-fees visa-application-assistance world-wide-presence

High School Trimester – AFS PEACE Program in Greece

Where do the crossroads of ancient and modern lead you?

Study Abroad in Greece – AFS PEACE Program

Step into a land alive with rich, exciting history and warm hospitality. Greece is famous for its historical influence, stunning natural beauty, and exuberant people. Democracy and ideas central to Western Civilization can trace their origin to ancient Greece and their spirit can be felt today throughout the country. The lasting Greek influence on politics, art, science, and philosophy that are mixed with a vibrant modern Greek culture makes the country an ideal study abroad destination! Any student will be captivated by Greece’s storied past, while getting to know the country as is it today: A hub of energy filled with proud, easygoing people and countless adventures.

During this unique trimester program, you’ll spend approximately three months studying in Greece with AFS, as part of the PEACE Program (Peace through Exchange and Active Citizenship Education) —a shared experience offered in several European countries and facilitated by the European Federation for Intercultural Learning (EFIL). Midway through your time in Greece, you’ll attend an online webinar to prepare for the five-day end-of-stay PEACE Camp and meet fellow participants participating in the program across Europe.

After concluding your experience in Greece, you’ll travel to Belgium for the PEACE Camp—an end-of-stay orientation and international gathering. There, you’ll join AFS students from other countries who also participated in the PEACE Program, coming together for activities and workshops that explore your intercultural journey and support your growth as an active global citizen.

Things to know about Greece

Surrounded by the sea, Greece’s long coastline boasts beautiful beaches and hundreds of islands. While students will get a chance to soak up some sun, your time in Greece will be more immersive than just a vacation. By attending high school in Greece, you’ll get to know what it’s like to be a Greek teenager and family member – something you would not be able to achieve as a tourist. At home, students will spend time with their host family and community. You’ll learn customs, traditions, and dive into learning the Greek language.

The Greek word kefi is used to describe being joyful, spirited, and having a general love of life. Capturing this feeling is at the heart of Greek culture, and you’re bound to come by many moments of kefi throughout your exchange!

What's included in your experience

  • 70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible? No, high school graduates are not eligible to participate.
Minimum GPA 2.5
Age Range (at program start) 15 years and 0 months to 17 years and 10 months at start of program
Language Skills English A2 – We strongly recommend that students preparing to travel to Greece follow the preparatory Greek virtual classes that will possibly be offered to them by AFS Greece some weeks/months ahead of their arrival date.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Greece

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Greece will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff, volunteers and meet your fellow AFSers from around the world. Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on the culture of Greece, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

Along the way, you might see peaks of rugged mountains, forests, and lakes. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of islands dotting the Aegean Sea to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Ionian Sea to the west. Wherever you go, you won’t be far from the sites of ancient ruins. As you take in your new home, you’ll have many opportunities to sample authentic Greek cuisine at a taverna or pastries from a street vendor.

Greece_Accom

Your Accommodations

Greece has a varied geographic landscape – you may experience rocky mountain villages, bustling cities, or sandy coastal towns. Students can expect to be placed in several regions including: a city, farming region, the rural countryside, a beach town, or an island.

Greek Orthodox is the largest faith group in Greece. Depending on where you are placed, religion can play a significant part in the life of your host family and community. Although you won’t be obligated to attend services regularly, you may participate in social activities connected to the family’s center of worship, such as a picnic, performance, or holiday celebration.

Greece_Host Family

Meeting Your Host Family in Greece

Family plays a central role in Greek life, so you’ll get to know your host family well by spending quality time together. Food is one of the primary love languages in Greece – love is often expressed through food, and meals can be a great opportunity for time to get to know one another. You’ll find that many Greek people speak exuberantly and are not afraid to embrace passion or emotion when conversing. Like everywhere, all families are different, and Greece is home to different types of domestic and international cultural backgrounds and lifestyles. It’s not uncommon for Greek families to have adult children, grandparents, or other relatives living at home with them. Elders are treated with the utmost respect and often act as the decision-makers of the family.

Greece_High School

Your High School in Greece

Greeks are known to be easy-going and friendly, but they place a high value on education. Secondary education is divided into two stages: lower-level education in gymnasiums and upper-level in lyceums, which are offered by the Unified Lyceums and Technical Vocational Educational Schools.

AFS students will likely attend upper secondary school at the lyceum. Students enrolled in high school typically attend classes Monday through Friday, from about 8:15am to 1:30pm, which is offered by the Unified Lyceums and Technical Vocational Educational Schools.

As a student in Greece, most of your time will probably be spent at school, hanging out with friends, and getting to know your host family. Outside of the classroom, many teenagers participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, theater groups, and choir.

Greece_Food

Food You’ll Encounter in Greece

Greeks enjoy good food and good company. Contemporary Greek cuisine makes wide use of vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, and meat. Foods are not generally full of heavy spices or seasonings, with the focus being more on fresh and simple ingredients rooted in the area you’re living. Common dishes you may try are pastitsio, moussaka, and souvlaki – all centered around the many ways Greeks like to cook meat. Large salads and fried cheese (usually feta or “saganaki”) will likely be found at the table as well. Expect to have lively conversation with friends and family while getting a taste of Greek food!

Scholarships and Aid

We believe in the power of intercultural experiences and the potential of our students! That’s why we’re dedicated to meeting the demonstrated financial need of accepted applicants. The deadline to be considered for scholarships for trimester departing July through September is December 5th. Learn more and view all deadlines below!

Learn More View Deadlines

What's Included

What’s Included

  • 75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 30,000 dedicated volunteers 
  • Accommodations with a vetted host family 
  • Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates 
  • School enrollment fees 
  • Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance 
  • Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S. 
  • Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
  • International secondary medical travel coverage
  • Visa support and guidance
  • Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Greece? YES. Visa + Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country) In-person + In host country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex) Complex
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses
($ – $$$)		 $$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.
Head-Graphic2

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one.

When you return home, if you’re like most AFSers, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do. That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning.

It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Greece. In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.