Why Greece? You may ask...and why Athens? Greece is the birthplace of so many modern ideas and Athens is the center of where it all happened. Webster-Athens is in an excellent location for formal study - at the foothills of the Acropolis. Just walking around the streets near the university, you can take in so much of this ancient, yet modern, city.

With its extraordinary artistic, intellectual and cultural heritage, Athens is richly endowed with resources for formal study and experiential learning. The museums at the Acropolis and the ancient Agora, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, the Cycladic Museum, and the Benaki collections are within minutes of the Athens Campus facilities. Cultural events including concerts, recitals, dance and theater, as well as international trade shows, conferences and symposia, public lectures, gallery exhibits, sports events and marathons, are an integral part of life in this bustling, cosmopolitan city at the confluence of Europe, Asia and Africa.

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Dates & Deadlines*

Term Year Application Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall 2022 March 15, 2022 Closed  August 22 December 16, 2022
Spring 2023 September 20, 2022 Rolling Admission January 16 May 12

*The availability of this program will depend on whether there are any COVID-19 protocols.

Program Description

This is a unique program designed to afford college students a rich cultural experience in the birthplace of Western civilization. You will take accredited courses in your chosen fields of study alongside Greek and other international students. You will be based in the facilities of Webster University Athens -in the historic area known as Plaka- at the base of the Acropolis. Two buildings house classrooms, computer lab, library, administrative offices, and a cultural center. With its extraordinary artistic, intellectual and cultural heritage, Athens is richly endowed with resources for formal study and experiential learning. The museums at the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, as well as the National Archaeological Museum, the Cycladic Museum, and the Benaki collections are within minutes of the university’s facilities.

Webster University’s ‘Odyssey in Athens’ program offers students the opportunity to explore and study historic sites in Greece while studying the region’s rich history and culture. Webster Athens is located in the heart of downtown Athens, footsteps from the Plaka, the historic section of Athens at the foothills of Acropolis.

Student Life

You are encouraged to take full advantage of the cultural and recreational activities available! You can participate or attend any of the organized sporting events of the University, such as men’s basketball or soccer and women’s volleyball. Similarly, student organizations such as the International Student’s Association and community service opportunities, such as working with the endangered sea turtles through the non-profit organization, Archelon, have been popular choices for the Odyssey students. The Director can assist students in pursuing their interests. Students contribute enormously to Webster’s campus and community through the generous volunteering of their time and energy for various activities and events. For example, students can help out with annual events such as the Graduation Ceremony, BBQ’s, Thanksgiving dinner, Holiday Evenings, SGA events, European Webster football tournament, Community Service Day and others. The Student Services team at Webster Athens can help you make the most of being in Athens with information on the local area, activities and events across the city!

Athens is a modern city with a plethora of activity. Cultural events including concerts, gallery exhibits, dance and theatre are an integral part of everyday life. Sporting events such as soccer and basketball bring the people of Athens together cheering passionately for their teams, as they did in ancient times. The spirit, energy and thought of the ancient Greeks taught the world so much.

All courses are taught in English by highly qualified faculty. Students do not need to know Greek to apply. The majority of people in Athens speak English. However, the Greek language course is very popular for study abroad students and helps them learn to communicate in Greek. The Athens campus offers a variety of course in various disciplines, which are available to study abroad students. Undergraduate students of all majors are welcome to study abroad at Webster Vienna even if their major is not offered in full at the campus. Our Odyssey in Athens program combines traditional study abroad with many opportunities for experiential learning. Students can choose to take courses from the Global Citizenship Program (GCP), Webster’s globally focused general education program or choose from a diverse variety of upper-level courses; many of which have an international or cross-cultural focus.

When looking for courses, be sure that you are looking at courses for undergraduate students only and that you are looking at classes in the correct term of study. Webster operates on a quarter system, so be sure to select courses in both fall/spring I and II. You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to Webster and Sacred Heart University. That means you will take 12-15 SHU credits (4-5 courses) while studying at Webster.

Course Credit

SHU approved courses taken on this program will count towards your general graduation total. Course grades will also factor into your cumulative Grade Point Average (courses are not available for Pass/Fail).

Students can reference the Course Equivalency Database to see which courses have already been approved. Approval for courses not yet approved can be requested through Global Engagement. Email studyabroad@sacredheart.edu for more information.

Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. The pre-departure orientation will be conducted at the end of April for the fall term abroad and in November/early December for the spring term abroad. Upon arrival in Athens, you will attend an additional mandatory orientation, on-site at the local campus. You will receive information about the campus, the culture and the expectations as a student. You will also have a chance to mingle with the local students as well during Webster's orientation.

Housing is not included as part of your SHU study abroad program fees. Housing is paid online, directly to Webster University through your Webster student account.

All students reside in furnished apartments in the Plaka district – within a 2-5 minute walk to campus. The narrow, picturesque streets of Plaka are full of cafés, restaurants, shops and artisan galleries. Athens is an ancient, yet modern city and many of its cultural activities are within walking distance from the campus and student housing.

The apartments are fully furnished with shared refrigerator, stove, cooking utensils, pots, pans, dishes, AC and ADSL wireless high speed internet service. Each apartment also includes a washing machine. Dryers are not included, but drying racks are provided in each apartment. Each student is provided with a single bed, desk, chair and closet. Students must provide their own sheets (standard single) and towels.

Learn more about housing at Webster University in Athens

Meals are not included as part of your SHU study abroad program fees.

Excursions are an integral part of Odyssey in Athens. Students have an opportunity to learn first hand about ancient sites. Mycenea, Epidavros, Meteora, Monemvasia, Sparti–Mystras and Delphi are a few of our destinations. Students also take organized trips to the Greek islands. The cost of university-organized group travel is fully covered by the program fees. Students may use their free weekends to travel on their own and quickly will discover that Greece abounds with exquisite natural beauty. From the famous Greek islands with crystal blue seas and dazzling sunlight to the mountain ranges and lush valleys blanketed with olive trees, there is so much to explore. Travel within Greece is easily available from Athens at a relatively low cost.

Webster University Athens, Greece: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023

Budget Item Amount Payable To Notes
Application Fee $45 Global Engagement Payable upon application to the program
Confirmation Fee $250 Global Engagement Due within two weeks of acceptance to the program
Total $295    
SHU Full-Time Undergraduate Tuition $23,155 Student Accounts  
Study Abroad Fee $450 Student Accounts  
Estimated Total $23,605   Total will be billed in accordance with student accounts billing cycle

Additional Expenses

Budget Item Estimates Amount Payable To Notes
Housing (average; cost will vary by accommodation type) $2,900 Webster University  Webster University will bill you directly for all housing 
Meals $2,500   No meal plan options are offered at this location. This is an estimated total you will spend on meals during your time abroad.
Immigration - Visa (U.S. citizens) $170   Refer to the consulate's website for precise payment details and amounts.
Transportation - International Airfare TBD   Students are eligible for the WINS travel award, which covers up to $1,000 towards round trip airfare. Refer to the Scholarships tab for more information.
Transportation - Local $200   Cabs, buses, trains, etc.
Personal expenses $2,000    

All costs subject to change.

Fees Include:

  • Program orientation
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Mandatory basic international health insurance

Fees Do Not Include:

  • Travel to/from host country
  • Major medical insurance
  • On-site course fees
  • Visa/resident permit fees
  • Program materials
  • Any personal expenses 

Additional Billing Information

All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.

Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, Global Engagement prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.

Please speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.

Please ensure applications for the Welch Tuition Waiver, Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship, and/or Matthew R. Dalling Scholarship are submitted by the specified deadline. Applications and corresponding deadlines can be found in your Study Abroad Account. Failure to submit applications by the specified deadline may cause the scholarship dispersal to be significantly delayed.

If you receive scholarships, grants, or financial aid through SHU, these awards are posted to your Student Account according to the normal disbursement schedule.

Contact Global Engagement directly for further information.

Webster WINS Travel Award

The Webster WINS Travel Award is available to students participating in a Webster University study abroad program. The award covers up to $1,000 towards your round-trip airfare. For more information visit the WINS webpage.

Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship

Students in the Thomas More Honors Program are eligible to use a one-time study abroad scholarship of $500 towards the cost of their program. Students will need to apply for this scholarship post-acceptance within their study abroad accounts.

August to December (fall semester) or January to May (spring semester)

Spring 2023

  • Departure from US: January 15
  • Arrival: January 16
  • Move Out: May 12

Webster University will communicate directly to enrolled students all Move In, Orientation and Move Out dates.

All dates are subject to change. Do not book your flight until you have been accepted by Webster University and your Move In and Move Out dates have been confirmed.