WHY THIS PROGRAM?
GREECE WOW FACTORS
• TEACHERS AS MENTORS: Small class sizes make it possible
• FAMILY FEEL: A small town with a strong community
• GREEK ISLAND: Need we say more?
THE ATHENA TOUCH
What makes this Athena?
• PURPOSE: Overseas school shares Athena's personalized approach
• TEACHERS: Do this for the love of learning
• LOCATION: Unique, hidden gem
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS @ HISA
WHY WE PARTNER WITH HELLENIC INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN THE ARTS (HISA):
HISA was one of the first schools Athena partnered with when we began, and with good reason. We share the same mission for study abroad – personalized, quality education that starts within the classroom walls and expands into the world.
HISTORY:
Founded in 2000, HISA has prided itself on educating students who desire more than a traditional lecture format.
EXPERIENCE:
Class-sizes are minimized to ensure students receive individual attention, and benefit from a close working relationship with their instructors.
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: Teachers as Mentors
This is the way education is meant to be. The intentionally small nature of the program allows teachers to provide customized academic and developmental guidance for each individual student.
COURSES
Courses have the following % breakdown:
| COURSES | General % Offered |
|---|---|
HUMANITIES | 60% |
ARTS | 35% |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | 5% |
DR. IOANNIS GEORGANAS
Academic Director
Dr. Ioannis Georganas is a distinguished professor of prehistoric/proto-historic archaeology. He holds both an MA and a PhD in Archaeology from the University of Nottingham (UK). He has extensive teaching experience in a variety of institutions, including the University of Nottingham, Lake Forest College, and the University of St Andrews. As a long-time member of the British School at Athens and former president of the Athens-Greece Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, he has participated in a number of significant excavations and field surveys throughout Greece and the Balkans.
As HISA’s new Academic Director he brings to our program not only a wealth of knowledge and experience but a student friendly teaching style that illuminates the historical significance of ancient Greece, building thereby an intelligent and instructive bridge between the past and the present.
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: Community Art Showcase
Each semester culminates with a Community Showcase in which students have the opportunity to exhibit their semester’s work to the island community.
STUDENT LIFE
FIELD TRIPS & EXCURSIONS
Field trips are an integral component of our Paros Island program, often combining your classroom work with real life application. A sample of standard trips included for both the summer and semester package are:
- Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, famous for its beautiful beaches
- Santorini, with its spectacular cliffs (2 nights)
- Delos, the classical ruins, birthplace of the gods
- Antiparos, famous for its stalactite cave
- Naxos, home to the god Dionysos
YOU'RE ON A GREEK ISLAND
Paros is a rare and unique Greek island in that it is small enough to retain the authentic Greek culture, while still having a fun and active island community.
HOUSING
Housing Type: Student Apartments (Single Room for semester, Double Room for summer)
Room Inclusions: Two beds, full bathroom, kitchenette, private balcony, wifi access
Housing Inclusions:
- Apartments include communal areas for students, including a rooftop patio with a shared kitchen.
- Laundry facilities (semester only)
- Wifi
FAQS
Will I be able to travel?
Yes! Five inter-island boat trips are included (weather permitting) for both the summer and semester programs.
If you are looking for independent travel, the semester program does have open weekends that allow for travel. For the summer programs, so much is included in the program, so there is not as much time available for independent travel. Many summer students choose to stay after the program ends if they are interested in independent travel.
How many students are on the program?
A typical program will have anywhere from 8-30 students on the program. This makes for an incredibly personal and high-quality study abroad experience, things we at Athena pride ourselves on.
What is the food like?
Delicious! Being on the Aegean Sea gives the island restaurants many seafood dish specialties. Traditional Greek dishes are also all around the island, including gyros, Greek yogurt, baklava (a delicious dessert), olives, and many more.
In general, even a picky eater should be able to find food that fits his or her palate. An adventurous eater will be very happy as there are many opportunities to explore dishes that aren’t readily available in many American restaurants.
Vegetarians: Athena’s resident vegetarian gives Paros Island an 8 out of 10 for being vegetarian friendly!
Can I request to room with my friend?
Yes! For summer programs, you can certainly request who you would like to have as your roommate. This is done after you are accepted into the program; you will note this in your housing request forms.
For the semester program, you will have your own room (unless space becomes limited, then singles go on a first-come, first serve basis). If you would still prefer to share your room with a friend, we can certainly accommodate that request.
How do I get to Paros?
You will fly into Athens, Greece. From there, you will stay with other Athena students in Athens for 1 or 2 nights, depending on the day you arrive.
On the morning the program begins, you and your classmates will take a ferry ride over to Paros Island, which typically takes about 4 hours. You will have an orientation and get settled into your new island life!
Do you provide flights?
We have partnered with STA Travel, an incredible student-focused travel agency. The good people there will be able to help all Athena students arrange flights overseas.
My time on Paros was the best thing that has ever happened to me...The moment I stepped on the island I knew that it was where I was meant to be... Athena was INCREDIBLY helpful.
HANNAH ZOPPI
Flagler College
THE CITY
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
What’s Paros Island Like?
They don’t call it Paros-dise for nothing. Bad word play aside, this really is one of the most remarkable locations for study abroad. In the cooler months, this island is a slower-paced fishing village, where fresh catches come in daily, and life is simple.
In the warmer months, the island awakens and more people flock to this beautiful costal gem. Like two sides of a coin, both seasons are truly Paros and bring the charm to this Greek island.
CITY PERKS: On this small island, where everyone knows each other, you will find a tight-knit community that is waiting to welcome you with open arms. Hiking the island opens your eyes to its incredible beauty.
And its close proximity to the many other Greek islands will provide you with an endless supply of adventure.
WEATHER
- OVERALL WEATHER: The weather in Paros, Greece is typically Mediterranean, with hot and sunny summers, followed by mild winters.
- THINGS TO NOTE: Because the island of Paros is surrounded by the Aegean Sea it can be very humid during nights. But this also means that it can get very windy and chilly at night, especially in the cooler months. So, it is very important to pack a jacket, or if you are going in the summertime, at least a sweater.
- WINDY: The “Meltemia” (strong north winds) blow on Paros especially during late July to the middle of August; but because the island of Paros is located in the center of the Cyclades, the winds are particularly strong and, for that reason, the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) has chosen to organize the annual Windsurfing World Championship in Paros, in New Golden Beach.
MAP
MORE INFO
Contact Information:
For more info, please contact:
General Info – hisa@paros-island.com
Yuko Yamauchi – registrar@hisa-studyabroad.com
Greece Advisor – Ioannis Georganas, PhD – i_georganas@yahoo.com
