Heritage Greece® Program, Thessaloniki
A Two Week Journey to Connect With Your Roots
Session A Dates: June 11-25, 2023
Session B Dates: July 2-16, 2023
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2023
The Heritage Greece Program is an unforgettable educational and cultural immersion experience for North American students of Hellenic heritage, shared with students from ACT- American College of Thessaloniki. Heritage Greece connects Greek American and Greek Canadian College & University-age students to their Hellenic roots by allowing them to spend two intense weeks exploring Greece in all its facets.
Heritage Greece is a proprietary program developed by the National Hellenic Society (NHS) as part of its mission to celebrate, preserve and disseminate Hellenic heritage in the United States. In 2019, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation (HHF) of Canada sponsored the first complement of Greek Canadian student participants.
Heritage Greece is a gift from the NHS to American students of Hellenic descent, comprising tailor-made educational and cultural activities that make for an impactful immersive experience. The itinerary includes an insider’s perspective of some the classic world’s leading museums, archeological and historical sites. The cultural component includes a broad array of activities ranging from Greek language class to dance, cooking and experiential learning in the field. The Heritage Greece experience is shared with a peer group of ACT students. Together the students explore Hellenic heritage, culture and their roots while developing long-lasting bonds with one another. Heritage Greece alumni have described the Program as a life-changing experience.
The Heritage Greece experience continues beyond the return from Greece. Heritage Greece participants become part of the Heritage Greece Alumni Network. The NHS provides career advancement guidance, mentorship and the opportunity to stay engaged in NHS programs, events and be part of the NHS network.
The Heritage Greece Program is designed to keep Hellenic heritage and Greek identity vibrant, relevant and inclusive.
Program Overview
The Heritage Greece® Program will take place in two sessions over the months of June & July. Applicants must complete the relevant online application in the ACT Application Portal.
Session A Dates: June 11-25, 2023
Session B Dates: July 2-16, 2023
Participants bear a $1,250 (USD) portion of airfare expenses to/from Greece. The residual airfare expense is borne by the NHS. You remain responsible for domestic (US) transportation expenses. Tuition, accommodations, local transportation, meals, ticketing, related expenses (not including out-of-pocket expenses) are borne by the NHS.
This once-in-a-lifetime educational program includes:
Heritage Greece is a proprietary program developed by the National Hellenic Society (NHS) as part of its mission to celebrate, preserve and disseminate Hellenic heritage in the United States. In 2019, the Hellenic Heritage Foundation (HHF) of Canada sponsored the first complement of Greek Canadian student participants.
Heritage Greece is a gift from the NHS to American students of Hellenic descent, comprising tailor-made educational and cultural activities that make for an impactful immersive experience. The itinerary includes an insider’s perspective of some the classic world’s leading museums, archeological and historical sites. The cultural component includes a broad array of activities ranging from Greek language class to dance, cooking and experiential learning in the field. The Heritage Greece experience is shared with a peer group of ACT students. Together the students explore Hellenic heritage, culture and their roots while developing long-lasting bonds with one another. Heritage Greece alumni have described the Program as a life-changing experience.
The Heritage Greece experience continues beyond the return from Greece. Heritage Greece participants become part of the Heritage Greece Alumni Network. The NHS provides career advancement guidance, mentorship and the opportunity to stay engaged in NHS programs, events and be part of the NHS network.
The Heritage Greece Program is designed to keep Hellenic heritage and Greek identity vibrant, relevant and inclusive.
Program Overview
The Heritage Greece® Program will take place in two sessions over the months of June & July. Applicants must complete the relevant online application in the ACT Application Portal.
Session A Dates: June 11-25, 2023
Session B Dates: July 2-16, 2023
Participants bear a $1,250 (USD) portion of airfare expenses to/from Greece. The residual airfare expense is borne by the NHS. You remain responsible for domestic (US) transportation expenses. Tuition, accommodations, local transportation, meals, ticketing, related expenses (not including out-of-pocket expenses) are borne by the NHS.
This once-in-a-lifetime educational program includes:
- First-hand experience of Hellenic heritage, traditions, and culture
- Experiential, customized transferrable one-credit language and culture course
- Field trips, on-site teaching experiences
- Cultural, educational and recreational excursions
- Modern, spacious housing in Thessaloniki
- Tuition, meals, and transportation in Greece
- Classroom materials
How To Apply
Eligibility Criteria
If you meet the following criteria, you are eligible to apply:
* Hellenic descent is defined as having one or more parents, grandparents, or great grandparents born in Greece or Cyprus. Please note that siblings or first cousins of past and/or current participants, who meet the program’s eligibility criteria, may participate in Heritage Greece® 2023 on the condition that they reimburse NHS for expenses related to their participation.
** Additional criteria may be added in case of pandemic-related changes imposed by the Greek or US governments or the European Union at the time of the program.
Application Checklist
To be considered for admission to the NHS Heritage Greece Program for the Thessaloniki Program, complete the Online Application Form, Provide a letter of recommendation, forward an official transcript, and complete the required forms via the ACT application portal by March 1, 2023.
Application Checklist and Required Forms
Click here to complete the ACT Online Application and make sure you enter "United States" as your country of application.
ACT’s Admissions team reserves the right to contact you for an interview.
For more information, please e-mail us at admissions@act.edu or call us at 617-676-8827.
Follow Heritage Greece® on Facebook and Instagram
If you meet the following criteria, you are eligible to apply:
- Enrolled as undergraduate or graduate student with 3.0 GPA
- U.S./Canadian citizen of Hellenic descent*
- Aged 18-26 years old
- Preferably first time visit to Greece
* Hellenic descent is defined as having one or more parents, grandparents, or great grandparents born in Greece or Cyprus. Please note that siblings or first cousins of past and/or current participants, who meet the program’s eligibility criteria, may participate in Heritage Greece® 2023 on the condition that they reimburse NHS for expenses related to their participation.
** Additional criteria may be added in case of pandemic-related changes imposed by the Greek or US governments or the European Union at the time of the program.
Application Checklist
To be considered for admission to the NHS Heritage Greece Program for the Thessaloniki Program, complete the Online Application Form, Provide a letter of recommendation, forward an official transcript, and complete the required forms via the ACT application portal by March 1, 2023.
Application Checklist and Required Forms
Click here to complete the ACT Online Application and make sure you enter "United States" as your country of application.
- Select the Heritage Greece® Program Application.
- In the "I have a code field", use Code Number: 41ACF7
- Gather & upload all required documents:
- Insurance Certificate
- Medical History
- Program Agreement
- Copy of your Passport, valid for at last 6 months following the Heritage Greece program dates
- Photo ID for your digital ACT ID card
- College / University Transcript
- Provide a recommendation letter from a professor, community leader, religious leader or other individual that knows you well, e-mail the ACT Admissions Department at admissions@act.edu
- Provide a copy of medical insurance coverage covering you during your stay in Greece
ACT’s Admissions team reserves the right to contact you for an interview.
For more information, please e-mail us at admissions@act.edu or call us at 617-676-8827.
Follow Heritage Greece® on Facebook and Instagram
