Join Us in the Greek isles and southern Italy

The cradles of Western Civilization

There is no place better to have an amazing adventure abroad and experience the world outside your home than the birthplace of Western Culture itself! If you're interested in history, architecture, art, culture, and adventures, our Greece & Italy: Western Civilization program is the perfect destination to put on your summer calendar. Our high school summer program in the Greek Isles and southern Italy is the educational adventure you have been looking for. There are historical and cultural treasures dating back over 3000 years just waiting for you to explore them. There are few other European destinations that can rival Greece and southern Italy for historical and cultural relevance. Come join us this summer and experience this enchanting journey for yourself!

In our Greece & Italy: Western Civilization program, students live with other World Class Programs students in shared accommodations that are within walking distance from the host city (or cities) most famous landmarks! “Homestays” are not a part of our programs because all of our trips are designed to give students a “pre-college” dorm life experience. Studying abroad with World Class Programs isn't about 'visiting' the Greek Isles or southern Italy, but living and experiencing the Mediterranean world like a real local! Accommodations are fully equipped with all living amenities, washing machines, and air conditioning. Our trained teachers and staff members are also housed close by, in a separate accommodation in the same building. If a program is large enough, it will have a dedicated World Class Programs Security Officer staying in the building as well, who will be on-call to the needs of the students 24/7.

Every student on this program will choose two classes as their academic focus while exploring the Greek islands and Italy: a major focus and a minor focus. Major classes will meet every morning, Monday through Friday, while minor classes will meet three afternoons a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. When students aren't in minor classes, they're participating in an afternoon activity with their fellow students.

Major Classes

Minor Classes

In addition to the day to day classes, students will go on day trips around the host country to explore the differences in culture from city to city! You'll see beautiful and breathtaking landmarks all around the Mediterranean and southern Italy. Day trips are some of our students' favorite activities on our program! While day trip locations vary by year, students on our programs are planned to visit Santorini, Mykonos, The Island of Crete, The Ruins of Ephesus, Positano/Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii!

Program Highlights

• Night-photography throughout the cities with our photography instructor.

• Climbing the cliffs along the Greek islands and taking in the sights.

• Admiring the legendary ancient masterpieces at the archaeological sites like Pompeii and in the museums

• Traveling throughout Greece and Italy on “mini-adventures” to other Greek and Italian cities

• Sketching the Parthenon as part of the art class taught by our faculty

• Rooftop lunch in the heart of Athens

• Studying and discussing philosophy in the Acropolis while enjoying Gelato

Student Favorites

• "Traveling through the mediterranean on a large ship with my new friends was one of the best experiences of my life!"

• "We weren't just tourists in Europe- we actually lived there for three weeks!"

• "The instructors were great! I felt both supervised and at ease."

• "I made amazing friends who I grew so close to in such a short amount of time!"

• "I greatly improved in all aspects of my artistic abilities while also having a relaxing, pleasant time doing so."

• "The beaches in Greece were my absolute favorites! The whole program was like a scene from Mamma Mia!"

• "They tricked me into learning! I had so much fun that I didn't even realize it!"

• "The food is so fresh and delicious! You can't even compare it!