Act

ACT’s Student Service Office operates one of the largest community service programs in Greece. As the first post-secondary institution in Greece to introduce service and community programs to such a large percentage of its student body, 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. These programs reflect the community-focused mission that the institution as a whole ascribes to.

Selected volunteer opportunities are available for students who are interested in developing or exercising skills in an environment tailored to their interests and studies. Certificates of recognition and awards of appreciation are provided to students for their volunteer work.

Service learning opportunities

Special needs centers

Students can volunteer for organisations that protect, support and provide educational and creative outlets for people with special needs. Students are assigned to volunteer at a specific organisation depending upon their interests, previous experiences and skill sets.

Soup kitchens

Students can volunteer alongside localsto prepare food for people in need. The work is basic but necessary:peeling potatoes, stacking shelves, washing pots and pans, and similar activities. Soup kitchens are a great place to learn how to make Greek food from home-cooks, and practice speaking Greek in an everyday context.

Local schools

Students can volunteer as teacher’s assistants in the English programs at elementary schools, both at Anatolia and at local public schools in the west Thessaloniki district. This community service opportunity is especially appealing to students who are studying education. Each school has its own character; some are in low income housing areas where the volunteer’s job can be more challenging yet very rewarding.

Youth centers

There are a variety of youth centers in Thessaloniki that provide after school workshops in arts, crafts and music as well as foreign languages. The youth centers usually accommodate youth from low-income housing as well as immigrant families where the need for extracurricular activities, training and entertainment is greater. Volunteers help run workshops in the English and Greek language, math and science as well as arts and crafts. The opportunities are flexible and depend largely upon the volunteer’s abilities and skills.

Digital reporting

Students who are particularly interested in social media, blogging and web design can be a great asset to local website businesses and organizations. ACT students can write blogs on the political and economic situation in Greece and Europe for http://politis-dukakis-center.act.edu/, or Repower Greece. Alternatively they can help run the ‘Local’s Like’ program for www.enjoythessaloniki.com which features video interviews of locals from around the city and their recommendations on where to go, where to eat and what to see in the city of Thessaloniki. “Local’s like’ provides a great service for tourists and foreigners in the city and also provides great insight for our students.

Tutoring high school students

Students can volunteer to provide assistance in math, science, history and other school subjects for local pupils who are struggling in school; these tutoring sessions usually take place with one or two pupils at a time. Some schools organise larger groups of pupils (15-20) in which 2-3 volunteers help tutor English conversational skills, especially for pupils who plan to take the proficiency English exams.

Urban living

In collaboration with the different municipalities in the region of Thessaloniki, ACT helps organize both cultural events and projects to improve urban living standards.. Examples include: beach cleanups, helping at music festivals, helping organise a day of cultural, sports and tree planting initiatives in the forest of Seih-Sou, weeding green areas in the city and tree planting in the pedestrian centres of the city. Once a year ACT also organises olive picking projects in nearby villages.

• T1 - Graduate Schedule of Courses
• Fall 2024 Course Offerings
• Fall 2024 Schedule of Courses
• Spring I 2025 Tentative Course Offerings
• Spring II 2025 Tentative Course Offerings
• Summer 2025 Tentative Course Offerings

Below is also a sample list of courses offered at ACT under its various programs. 

Hellenic Heritage

• Greek 101 – Beginning Modern Greek I
• History 232 – Thessaloniki: A City and its Inhabitants
• Anthropology 215 – Methods and Practices of Archaeological Excavation
• Art History 121 – Greek Art through the Ages: Ancient to Modern
• Humanities 120 – Understanding Greek life and Culture
• Humanities 209 – Topics in Mythology and Religion in the Classical World
• Humanities 210 – Religions of the World
• History 301 – History of Ancient Greece
• Politics 207 – The Modern Greek Nation State
• Art History 220 – Ancient Greek Art and Architecture

International Relations

• Greek 101 – Beginning Modern Greek I
• European Studies 210 – Foundations of European Integration
• Politics 221 – The Balkans in Contemporary International Relations
• Politics 231 – International Law
• Politics 232 – International Organizations and Institutions
• Politics 332 – Human Rights
• Greek 101 – Beginning Modern Greek I
• Politics 201– International Relations
• Politics 301 – War and Peace in the Contemporary World
• History 201- Women in Modern Times
• Humanities 246 – Introduction to American Cultural Studies
• Politics 249 – Political Economy
• Politics 304 – Women, power and politics
• Social Science 399 – Service Learning Practicum
• History 232 – Thessaloniki: A City and its Inhabitants
• Social Science 349 – Contemporary Globalization
• Philosophy 203 – Ethics

Business

• Fin 232 – International Finance
• Econ 332 – International Economics
• Bus 241 – International Business Law
• MNGT 240 – Creative Thinking: The Business Imperative
• MKTG 324 – e-Marketing
• MS 585 – e-Business for Tourism (Tourism e-business)
• MNGT 203 – Hospitality Management
• MNGT 202 – Destination Management
• MKTG 330 – Consumer Behavior
• Fin 220 – Investment and Portfolio Management
• MKTG 214 – Advertising
• MKTG 318 – Global Marketing
• MNGT 330 – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Fin 400 – Seminar in Finance
• MNGT 210 – HR Management for Growth
• MKTG 320 – Marketing Research
• MNGT 341 – Business in Greece and the European Union: Gain insight into the way business is really conducted in the region and learn exciting differences about the cultural and business environments.
• Summer Business Minor (required min number of students): Work your way up and earn a minor in business during the summer period.

English & Communication

Language & Literature

• English 220 – Introduction to Twentieth Century Poetry and Drama
• English 221 – Short Fiction/The Novella
• Hum 246 – Introduction to American Cultural Studies
• English 268 – Women and Literature
• English 273 – Introduction to Linguistics
• English 360 – Literary Theory
• English 120 – Introduction to Literature
• English 259 – Contemporary World Literature
• English 340 – Comparative Literature
• English 350 – Advanced Writing/Writing for Social Change
• English 275 – Sociolinguistics

Communication & New Media

• Comm 127 – Communication, Culture and Society
• Comm 217 – Media in Transition
• English 300 – Image/Text/Culture
• Comm 317 – Communicating through New Media
• Soc Sc 399 – Service Learning
• Comm 227 – Media Theory
• Comm 233 – Introduction to Journalism
• Comm 327 – Communication Research Methods
• Anthr 349 – Intercultural Communication

Computing

• CSC 230 – Programming in C++ and Matlab
• CSC 151 – Quantitative Computing
• CSC 107 – Multimedia I
• CSC 306 – Advanced Web Development
• CSC 450 – System Analysis and Design
• CSC 310 – Computer Architecture
• CSC 300 – Mobile Application Programming
• MATH 120 – Calculus I
• SEA 101 - Introduction to Sea Sailing*
• CSC 322 – Computer Networks
• CSC 206 – Web Development
• CSC 325 – Distributed Applications
• CSC 330 – Introduction to Mobile Robotics
• CSC 320 – Mobile Computing
• CSC 321 – Operating Systems
• MATH 220 – Discrete Mathematics
• STAT 205 – Statistics I
• CSC 219 – Video Game Design with Unity and Blender
• CSC 130 – Introduction to electronics and robotics programming

* Each semester, the Division of Science and Technology offers the course Introduction to Sea Sailing, which teaches offshore sailing at the level of Coastal Skipper. Opportunities exist to practice what is learned in a skippered or bare-boat trip in the Northern Greece, Chalkidiki peninsulas, and/or islands.

Psychology

• Psychology 130 – Cognitive Psychology
• Psychology 215 - Positive Psychology
• Psychology 240 – Forensic Psychology
• Psychology 250 – Psychopharmacology
• Psychology 255 - Sports Psychology
• Psychology 270 - Health, Stress and Adaptation
• Psychology 305- Counselling and Psychotherapy

Learn more by downloading our ACT Study Abroad brochure.

For the student seeking a unique study abroad site in Greece, the American College of Thessaloniki is ideal. Thessaloniki is the ‘road less taken’, a culturally intact city, small, diverse, youthful, at the crossroads of east and west and the gateway to Southeastern Europe.

Greek Cultural Immersion

With a student body comprised of 50% Greeks and international students from approximately 30 countries as well as a plethora of community outreach opportunities, visiting students find a valuable cultural immersion experience at ACT.

U.S. Accredited

ACT is the only NECHE-accredited academic institution in Northern Greece.

Vibrant Student Life

ACT is a warm, welcoming and active community that offers students the chance to explore and develop through a wide range of workshops, clubs, field trips and volunteer opportunities.

Cultural & Historical Exploration
Students visit the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Orthodox Monasteries dating from 12th Century, the beautiful beaches of Halkidiki and of course the enchanting city of Thessaloniki!

Strong Support Services

The International Programs Office has staff dedicated to assist students with all needs. Pre-departure, staff in the ACT Boston office are there to answer questions and provide students with the support they need. Once students arrive in Greece, staff orients them with the campus and life in Thessaloniki and provides information on co-curricular opportunities and ways to engage with Greece outside of the classroom. ACT even provides an on-site doctor in the event of health issues.