Greece: Modern Greek Culture
Section 1: Monday, May 18 to Friday, June 12, 2026 (4 weeks)
Section 2: Monday, June 15 to Friday, July 10, 2026 (4 weeks)
This will be the ninth year that the University of Toronto has offered a summer course in Greece. We will be offering two identical sessions in 2026: the first from May 18 to June 12, and the second from June 15 to July 10, 2026.
This course on Modern Greek Culture aims to provide students with a deep understanding of contemporary Greece. It will benefit students interested in learning about the continuing Greek contributions to world civilization. Aspects of the Hellenic culture, people, language, food, and traditions will be examined. The course is taught in English and there are no Greek language requirements. Students will earn a full-year Political Science credit in four weeks while living and learning in Athens, Greece’s capital and largest city.
The program will start in Athens and end in Rhodes Island. It is organized and hosted by the College Year in Athens (CYA), a non-profit educational institution established in 1962. CYA emphasizes the importance of learning beyond the classroom to gain a deeper understanding of Greece. Students will be housed close to campus and have easy access to the classroom and on-campus facilities and services.
About Athens, Greece!
As a capital city of Greece, Athens has an impressive cultural life that blends the old and new together. While it is known for its history, Athens is also a rapidly modernizing metropolis. It is a densely packed city of ancient sites, museums, and modern urban landscapes.
Despite its rapid and ongoing transformation, Athens remains a city made of small and intimate neighbourhoods, each with its own personality and charm. You can find hip bars, small venues for live music and lots of theatre to enjoy. There are also many art galleries and cinemas to visit, as well as beaches, sports venues, and concert halls. In every neighbourhood there are several great restaurants and cafés, as well as weekly open-air fresh food markets.
Useful link:
Program Activities (tentative)
- Welcome dinner
- Orientation to Athens
- CYA Campus Orientation
- Visit museums such as the Acropolis Museum and Benaki Museum
- Visit the Greek Parliament
- Visit the Palace of Magistros and the Archaeological Museum
- Visit Melissokomiki Dodekannisou and Butterflies Valley and Springs
- Day trip to Delphi
- Day trip to Sounio
- Day trip to Nafplion
- Day trip to Kallithea Springs Lindos Acropolis and Asklipio Village
- Day trip to Symi Island
Greece Summer Abroad: News and Highlights
Learn more about the Greece Summer Abroad Program through videos, past events and articles.
Instructor Interview - Themis Aravossitas - 2025 Greece POL300Y0
Questions? Email: greece.abroad@utoronto.ca or book a virtual appointment.