American College of Thessaloniki (Greece)
The Program
For the student seeking a unique study abroad site in Greece, the American College of Thessaloniki is ideal.
A 65-acre campus encompassing the 4,500m2
Bissell Library, one
of the most sophisticated, private facilities of its kind in Southeast
Europe, and the Stavros S. Niarchos Technology Center, which gives
students access to the latest tools in information technology.
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is set on a 65-acre campus with Bissell Library, and the Stavros S. Niarchos Technology Center which gives students access to the latest tools in information technology.
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is an excellent choice for students interested in the politics and economics of Greece and the Mediterranean and Balkan region. ACT is a liberal arts college modeled after the U.S. higher education system. The university’s strengths are in business administration, computer science, English and international relations.
Program Location
Greece
Thessaloniki
With a population of over 730,000, and more students than any other Greek city, Thessaloniki is the quintessential urban-style college town. Facing the Thermaic Gulf, the city sprawls upwards along broad, tree-lined streets and through parks and squares to the medieval citadel. While the “feel" of Thessaloniki is distinctly modern, pockets of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past abound—it has more surviving Byzantine churches than anywhere else in Greece. The city also has world-class archaeological museums, theaters, and family-run tavernas serving regional cuisine. The nearby Chalkidike peninsula has some of the loveliest beaches in the Mediterranean while the northern Aegean islands are a short ferry-hop away.
Academics
At ACT, join classmates from various states across the US, alongside students from Greece, neighboring Southeastern European countries, and the far corners of the world, bringing a diverse and international perspective into the classroom. Learning in ACTion is their interactive approach to academics allowing students to interact with the course content in unique ways such as field work, workshops, conferences, site visits, internships, and practicums. Choose from a wide range of courses in: Business, Humanities, Social Science, English & Communication, Computer Science, and Technology, Greek language, History and Culture. Undergraduate courses are taught in English and are accredited in the US by NECHE and validated in Europe by Open University. In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the American College of Thessaloniki website.
Learning through Service at ACT
ACT’s Student Services Office operates one of the largest community service programs in Greece. ACT collaborates with over 40 NGOs, providing students with the unique opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community while learning about the local culture, history, customs, and economy.
ACT also offers students the opportunity to Earn a Certificate in Oracle, Hellenic Studies, Sea Sailing, or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). The certification does cost an additional fee. In most countries, the TEFL certificate is a minimum requirement for teaching English abroad. For more information about this program click here.
Visit the Bissell Library, one of the most sophisticated, private facilities of its kind in Southeast Europe, and the Stavros S. Niarchos Technology Center, which gives students access to the latest tools in information technology.
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to ACT and Rutgers University. That means you will need to take approximately 12-15 credits while abroad. The credit translation system between the ACT and Rutgers University is 1:1, meaning a 3-credit course at the ACT will also be a 3-credit course on your Rutgers University transcript. It is not possible to take classes as not-for-credit or pass/fail.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
The American College of Thessaloniki provides off-campus (double occupancy) accommodation in downtown Thessaloniki, close to the heart of the city center and a short ride away from the ACT campus. Studios are furnished (including beds, table, stove, sink, refrigerator, and private bath). Students supply their own linens and kitchenware. Each apartment is equipped with its own bathroom and kitchen facilities; meals are not provided. Laundry facilities are located in the basement of each apartment building. *Housing is included in your program fee, but you will need to pay a $300 housing deposit prior to the start of your semester. This fee is refundable at the end of the semester minus a 70 Euro cleaning charge and any damages incurred.
Off-campus housing locations are well served by the city’s reliable bus system with buses running at 10-15 minute intervals. In addition, the college provides a complimentary bus to and from campus.
*Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard (double) placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms.
For more information about housing, please refer to the ACT Accommodations website.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Residents | Non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| ATW Program cost* | $15,500 | $19,700 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• **Housing in standard (double) accommodations
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
• *Access the World (ATW)
** Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Housing Deposit | $300 |
| Meals | $1,200 |
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $500 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $175 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,200 |
| Total | $4,825.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| NJ Residents | Non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| ATW Program cost* | $15,500 | $19,700 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• **Housing in standard (double) accommodations
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
• *Access the World (ATW)
** Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Housing Deposit | $300 |
| Meals | $1,200 |
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $500 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $175 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,200 |
| Total | $4,825.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Student Spotlight
“I do think I adapted pretty well to the Greek culture. There was a little culture shock in the beginning, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought was going to shock me. What shocked me about their culture was how nice and inviting everyone was. The Greek people were completely welcoming to us Americans. I truly was not expecting it to be quite that way, and the hospitality and friendliness of the Greek people from day one made for such an easy transition into this new culture. It made Thessaloniki feel almost like a second home and to this day that still surprises me."