GREECE - Direct Enroll at American College of Greece

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
• Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have second-semester sophomore status or higher before participation. (Transfer students may participate after the first semester on campus) 
• At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
• Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
• Minimum GPA of 2.75.  

Aghia Paraskevi is a bustling suburb on the Northeast corner of the Athens basin, where the city begins to slope upward Mount Hymettus (1,024 meters or 3.000 feet high). If Athens is one of Europe’s safest cities, Aghia Paraskevi is one of Athens’ safest (and prettiest) areas. ACG’s beautiful 64-acre campus is the last vestige of the city before urban development gives way to the Mt. Hymettus national forest. As a result of its special location, ACG offers members of its community easy access to some of the trendiest nightlife in the city as well as some of the most spectacular nature walks in Greece. 

To learn more about the visa process for this country, please visit the Embassy of Greece Website. 

The college awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1969. In 1973 its undergraduate division was renamed DEREE College in honor of a generous benefactor from Chicago, William S. Deree (born Derehanis in Greece). In 2004 it offered its first graduate programs.

DEREE is an American-sponsored, independent, coeducational, nonsectarian, and nonprofit educational institution accredited in the United States, and by virtue of its accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) its degree is recognized worldwide as equivalent to those provided by American universities. Today, it has one campus located in the area of Aghia Paraskevi in Athens, with four schools: School of Business, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

The education system is based on an American liberal arts model, so most students won’t have trouble adjusting. Class sizes will be smaller and interactive. Some classes may only have grades based upon exams, while others will be based on multiple forms of assessment like homework and group projects.  

American College of Greece uses the US semester credit system, in which 1 credit = 42-45 in-class hours, and 2 hours of out-of-class work per credit hour.

To Earn 4 Lake Forest credits, students must take 15-16 US semester credits.

To Earn 3 Lake Forest credits, students must take 12 US semester credits.

Note: It is the same credit-system as LFC!

The number of credits listed here is estimated, and GEO will work with you, your advisor, and the registrar to ensure you are earning enough credits to keep you on track for graduation.

Sample course schedules can be found here.  You can find course descriptions here.

Student Academic Support Services (SASS) is a service available to all ACG students, offering a vital program designed to enhance the educational experience. Through one-to-one and group workshop sessions, SASS learning facilitators support the development of academic and study skills at the undergraduate and graduate level across all schools. SASS learning facilitators recognize that individual qualities and efforts vary; therefore, they adopt a learner-centered approach in order to promote individual development and to respond to the needs of each student. SASS facilitators practice a non-instructional philosophy in which students’ academic work reflects their own ideas, critical skills, and abilities.  

Academic Environment and Teaching Style

Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm.  Professors are often more formal than those in the United States.

All courses/modules may have prerequisites.  Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it.  Be aware of these limitations.

Our wholehearted effort is focused on working with students to identify their interests and achieve their aspirations, engaging them in building leadership skills, developing team orientation, talent, and connection with the community. 

Study Abroad students who are enrolled at the American College of Greece through an exchange or visiting student program are eligible to apply for the Study Abroad On-campus Internship Program. Each intern will be assigned an onsite staff supervisor and together will work on semester long projects in order to achieve stated goals.

These are unpaid internship opportunities not for credit. However, together with the award of an internship certificate upon completion, we will be offering a discount against our study abroad program fee for the selected students depending on the assignment.

The Study Abroad Student On-Campus Internship Program offers students the unique opportunity to enrich their study abroad experience and promotes cross-cultural interaction in an international academic environment.

Internships take place during academic semesters (Fall or Spring) and are limited to max 15 hours/week. Students selected to participate in the Study Abroad On-Campus Internship Program will attend a mandatory orientation session during the first week of the semester.

Applicants should:

• Have applied for a study abroad term at ACG.
• Have a grade point average [GPA/CI] of 3.00 or higher.
• Remain in good academic standing throughout their participation in the Study Abroad On-Campus Internship Program

Each internship position may have additional eligibility criteria and requirements.

The Study Abroad On-Campus Internship Program offers our students the unique opportunity to enrich their study abroad experience and promotes cross-cultural interaction in an international academic environment.

Study abroad students live in DEREE’s spacious residence complex a short walk from campus. Standard accommodations are based on two students sharing a bedroom in a furnished apartment. Lake Forest students receive a meal plan for 10 meals per week.  The rest of the meals are self-catered, but cooking supplies are provided. A grocery store is conveniently located just down the block. Students can choose upgrades, when available, such as a single bedroom or a superior single bedroom (~$1,000/semester). 

There are complimentary on-site laundry facilities, complimentary fitness center in the main building, a quiet study area, outdoor area in back for relaxing, and a large lobby with TV, DVDs and games for casual group gathering and events.

We have full-time residents’ assistants (RAs) who are responsible for providing services and support for students residing in our College residences. RAs help to assure the safety and security of students, assist students in finding their way around Athens and Greece, and plan cultural enhancement activities. RAs are also trained in first aid, CPR, fire safety and evacuation.

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for the direct enroll to American College of Greece program includes orientation, onsite coordinators, airport pick-up, double-bedroom housing, complimentary laundry, access to the health center, three day-trips or excursions, and college fees. Ten meals per week in the cafeteria are included.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 programs:

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2019. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Deposits to other programs, if required, are paid by the student to the host program, and will appear as a credit on your study abroad term bill from the College.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.