Overview
Athens Offers a U.S.-Based Education in a Truly International Setting
Only a few college students have a chance to study in the very city where great philosophers once spoke, but such is the opportunity offered to U.S. students at the American University of Athens. The city of Athens, a delightful mix of the ancient and modern, is not only the largest city in Greece, it is also Europe's ancient capital and the birthplace of the Olympic Games. In Athens, students become immersed in architecture, monuments, museums, and galleries but also find time for more current pastimes, such as concerts, shopping, nightlife, and sports events.
With a hike up Mount Lycabettus, scenic touring can be done right in Athens. Famous archaeological sites within the city include the Acropolis, with the Parthenon temple-a masterpiece of Greek architecture. Students also will want to see the archaeological areas of the ancient agora and Kerameikos. The city temple of Hephaestus is actually the most well-preserved, ancient temple in all of Greece.
Experiencing ancient eras continues with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. When time permits, students can walk the shaded paths of the National Garden. If feet get weary, Athens provides public transportation via metro, rail, bus, and trams. In fact, one of the many advantages and joys of residing in Athens is that everything is accessible via the subway and bus routes. For longer excursions, students can head to the Mediterranean or, in less than two hours, travel to the beautiful Aegean Islands.
The American University of Athens is located in the center of the city. A private, English-language university, the university awards undergraduate and graduate degrees and, even though located in Greece, it has U.S. accreditation. The institution instructs students within its Schools of Computer Science, Natural Science, and Engineering; Business Administration; Liberal Arts and Arts; and Graduate Studies.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences in Athens-Undergraduate Degrees and Programs with International Appeal
The American University of Athens is an independent, coeducational institution offering liberal arts and sciences programs similar to those available in the United States. The School of Liberal Arts offers undergraduate degrees and programs through the Departments of Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Visual Arts, and Communications. The Department of Computer Sciences and Engineering and the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics comprise the School of Sciences and Engineering. The School of Business Administration is divided into three departments: Accounting, Finance, and Economics; Marketing and General Business; and Management.
Students pursuing liberal arts and sciences degrees experience internships, laboratory research, and real-world practice in their undergraduate programs. Faculty members are committed to advanced scholarship, and faculty mentoring and sophisticated technology support students on their educational paths, and all students benefit from the university's core curriculum.
Freshmen and undecided students continue their high school educations by acquiring an even broader base of knowledge. Many of their core curriculum courses come from the areas of science, art history, history, English literature, humanities, and the social sciences. In addition to this broad foundation from the university's liberal arts and sciences programs, the university offers a series of public lectures with distinguished speakers, debates, and seminars with the purpose of broadening the students' interests even further and contributing to the cultural life of Athens' English-speaking community.
Student Life and Organizations Are Backed by Positive Support at American University of Athens
Student life at the American University of Athens (AUA) is influenced by an enrollment that represents almost forty countries, including the U.S. and Greece. With the university being a truly international institution, the diversity of the student body adds an interesting aspect to the college experience and affords numerous opportunities for students to broaden their horizons. Overall, student life at AUA reflects the varied ethnic and religious backgrounds of students in a positive and welcoming way. Greece has the reputation of being one of the safest and most hospitable countries in Europe, and this reputation bears fruit at AUA.
A Student Representative Council helps student organizations plan an array of extracurricular activities. A number of the organizations are linked to academic interests, such as psychology, journalism, drama, or political science. Other organizations, related to future careers, range from the debating society to business associations. Students who are living on campus may find their active student life originates with the fully equipped residence halls where the facilities and lounge areas encourage resident students to develop friendships. Special interest clubs hone the talents of students who enjoy creative writing, photography, or yearbook production. Students interested in drama, art, and music are often seen at the open-air theaters, the Athens Music Hall, or the National Gallery.
The Office of International Programs serves students with immigration services and other issues that may arise. All in all, through a variety of programming, the university and the campus's student organizations support a person's adjustment to life in Athens and makes it a place for students to thrive.
