The American College of Thessaloniki: A Crossroads of Culture and Education
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), situated in Northern Greece, offers a unique study abroad experience at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. As the tertiary division of Anatolia College, ACT provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in history, explore Western thought, and gain valuable international experience. With a diverse student body and a range of academic programs, ACT is an ideal choice for students seeking a global education in a vibrant setting. ACT has no political, governmental or religious affiliation and values a diverse college community. ACT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, or disability in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its educational policies and programs, or in the recruitment and employment of its faculty and staff.
A Land of History and Beauty
Greece is a land of mythical proportions, great natural beauty, and classic postcard images. ACT offers you the opportunity to feel history come alive as you walk through olive groves, ancient sites, and thousand-year-old monasteries. Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, has been characterized as the “Greek Youth Capital” for its large number of young permanent residents. Greece is a modern European country with a strong democratic government and a developing economy. The Greek mainland occupies the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula, bordering Turkey to the east and Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Albania to the north. The terrain of mainland Greece is mostly mountainous, while its seas are dotted with more than 2,000 islands.
Accreditation and Partnerships
ACT is accredited in the United States by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). ACT has been the school of choice for over 3000 American students, as it holds partnerships with major US institutions. Students receive University of Iowa resident credit for the courses taken on this program.
Academic Programs
ACT offers a variety of courses in business, communications, computer science, English literature, Hellenic heritage, humanities, international relations, new media studies, psychology and social sciences. 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.
Division of Business: The Business Administration program has four main concentrations: Entrepreneurial Management, Marketing, Finance, and International Business. All of ACT's courses combine international experience with a local point of view. The Anatolia School of Business accepts students from various countries and blends theory with contemporary market developments. Graduates will have acquired an appreciation of the interactions among all elements of an organization and be ideally equipped to lead entrepreneurial activity throughout Southeast Europe over the next decades. You can combine your Business major with a minor from another division. The minor in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence focuses on the emerging field of AI. *The capstone project is not a regular course, it is an independent project undertaken by the student under agreement with a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor provides only supervision and assessment of the project and not regular instruction. Upon completion of the project and by the pre-agreed deadline the student submits the project to the faculty advisor, who then assesses it and reports the pass or fail grade (pass ≥ 75%) to the registrar’s, who in turn issues the certificate.
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Division of Humanities & Social Sciences: The Division of Humanities and Social Sciences provides introductory and advanced instruction in all areas of the human sciences, with undergraduate programs of distinction in English and New Media, and International Relations. Teaching and research strengths within the division include: history, politics, and European integration; communication and media, modern literature, and language teaching methodology; psychology; anthropology; social and cultural studies. Students gain vital knowledge in the subject areas of media, communication and culture and understand the impact of social and new media in education, communication and the working environment through theory and practice.
Psychology Program: ACT’s BS in Psychology is designed to be a novel and contemporary program up to date to the academic and professional trends. Based on prevalent US and UK standards, it will be characterized by a firm grounding in the disciplinary foundations to the Psychology degree, such as theory, main concepts, methods, debates and applications in Psychology. Courses familiarize the students with clinical, developmental, educational, counseling, experimental, social, forensic psychology and neuroscience. They will also comprise practical experience of designing and carrying out psychological research, as well as evaluating and reporting its results.
International Relations Program: The undergraduate courses in the broader area of International Relations have a firm grounding in the disciplinary foundations of the IR degree, with courses in IR theory, international law, European integration, foreign policy, and political economy. Students also receive a solid training in the social sciences, with an emphasis on culture, gender, ethnography, and economic relations. Located in a strategic and cosmopolitan crossroad in Greece and South-East Europe, ACT's International Relations program is particularly strong in American and EU politics, contemporary Balkan and Aegean affairs.
Division of Technology & Science: ACT’s Computing curriculum is a rigorous and challenging program that provides students not only with a theoretical background, but also with the practical skills needed by organizations and companies in all fields. ACT offers two degrees in the area of Computing: A BSc in Computer Science addressing the theoretical aspects of Computer Science and a BSc in Business Computing focusing on applications of Computer Science. The college’s specialized, state-of-the-art IT facilities and computer labs, the Niarchos Technology Center, the CISCO Networking laboratory, the Microelectronics-Robotics laboratory and a new Fabrication Lab are fully available to students in the program.
Hellenic Heritage Program: The Hellenic Heritage program is designed for study abroad students who have a passion for the legacy of Hellenism in subject areas such as history, ethnography, linguistics, mythology and the arts and who would like to explore their interests in real-world circumstances. Two tracks of study are offered: one focusing on antiquity, the other dedicated to modern manifestations of Hellenism. These programs allow students to gain a solid foundation in Greek language, history, art and literature, and forms of spirituality.
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Unique Opportunities
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. Gain valuable hands-on experience through the Service Learning Program and courses that contain internships or practicums. ACT’s Student Services Office operates one of the largest community service programs in Greece. 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.
Campus and Facilities
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is set on a 65-acre campus with Bissell Library, and the Stavros S. 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. Visit the Bissell Library, one of the most sophisticated, private facilities of its kind in Southeast Europe, and the Stavros S. Niarchos Technology Center.
Housing and Accommodation
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. Off-campus housing locations are well served by the city’s reliable bus system with buses running at 10-15 minute intervals. *Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard (double) placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference.
Cost and Financial Aid
A semester at ACT will have a cost similar to a semester on campus. Students will be charged Gordon’s cost of attendance and will retain their Gordon financial aid package, along with any applicable federal, state, and private aid. The cost includes: Tuition (for up to 15 credits), Housing, Access to a shuttle bus from housing to the main campus, Several excursions, and Wifi access. The cost does not include: Flights, Meals, Personal travel expenses, Any visa-related cost, and Books and Supplies. These are estimated expenses that are not part of your term bill. 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.
Application Procedure and Deadlines
All Gordon students applying to this program must first submit an online seat application to the Global Education Office before applying directly to your program. Fall and Spring seat applications must be submitted to the GEO by March 1. After the Global Education Office has notified you of your approval, you may then proceed with the program's application. Applications for the Spring session are due on September 24.
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To apply to the University of Iowa: Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Complete the ACT Application. Under I have a reference code, enter: DE8HA2. This code associates your application with the University of Iowa. Acceptance decisions are made by ACT.
Eligibility Requirements
Minimum 2.5 GPA: Students must have, at minimum, a 2.5 GPA to participate in this program. Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. Approval by American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) and UI Study Abroad: Applications will be reviewed by ACT and by UI Study Abroad. Students will be accepted based on the review of their application materials.
To qualify for the Gordon program, students need to have Sophomore standing or above, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75, major or minor in either Psychology, English, and students from the School of Business, and possess a strong commitment to academics and Christianity.
Visa and Passport Information
All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended. Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.
Program participants may be required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in Greece. US Citizens- If you are staying in Greece longer than 90 days, you must obtain a student visa prior to arrival in Greece. You cannot apply for the visa more than 90 days prior to arrival in Greece. Upon arrival in Greece, you will also be required to register with the local police station. Non-US Citizens- Greek immigration requirements vary for non-US passport holders. UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments to provide details on the visa application process. Prior to starting the visa application process check in with ACT for more information. They will let you know about important dates and deadlines you need to keep in mind.
Pre-Departure Information
In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session. ACT will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Students are required to submit an internal application following their placement which is required of the host institution.
Travel Arrangements
Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider. Within Thessaloniki and around Greece, students will utilize public transportation such as buses, metro, and trains.
Safety and Security
The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.
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