O'Neill in Athens

May 13 - June 3, 2025

V482 – Democratic Institutions and Ideals in Classical and Contemporary Greece (3cr.)

Program Director: Paul Helmke 

This three-credit course explores both the development of democracy in Classical Greece and the efforts of contemporary inhabitants of Greece to strengthen democratic institutions and ideals such as freedom, equality, inclusiveness, and transparency. The first part of the course focuses on Athenian democracy in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., paying particular attention to the role of citizens and citizenship. Much of the second part of the course will focus on the limitations of the state in promoting democratic institutions and ideals in contemporary Greece and on efforts by the business and nonprofit communities to strengthen democracy by circumventing an ineffective government.

In addition to taking classes on the beautiful campus of the American College of Greece, you will also have the opportunity to meet leading figures from the Greek government as well as from Greek foundations and businesses. There will be ample opportunities to explore the historic sites of Athens and the gorgeous islands off of the mainland, both independently and with your instructors.

IU Bloomington Undergrads: See how this course counts towards your major/minor at O'Neill here.

• Acropolis (and the Acropolis Museum), the most important ancient site in the Western world
• Ancient Agora of Athens and Temple of Zeus
• Overnight trip with stops to: Mycenae, Nafplio, Kalamata, Ancient Messene, Olympia
• Overnight trip to Delphi, the center of the ancient world and Meteora
• 3 Island Cruise: Hydra, Poros, Aegina
• Panathenaic Stadium
• National Archaeological Museum
• Athens Hellenic Parliament
• Benaki Museum
• Mount Lycabettus
• Swimming Cruise: Beach time at Agistri,Metopi, and Perdika

*Excursions are subject to change based on availability year to year

All O’Neill International programs are academic, credit-bearing courses that take place abroad. As such, your bursar will be charged two amounts for participation in this program:

1. Program Fee for O’Neill in Athens (made in two payments)
2. Tuition for the course (3 credits at your normal IU-Bloomington tuition rate)

2025 Program Fee: $2,800

The Program Fee for this program includes:

• Lodging for 3 weeks in Athens
• Site visits and guest speakers
• Cultural excursions
• Several meals
• International health insurance

The Program Fee will be charged to your IU Bloomington Bursar account in two installments:

1. A $550 non-refundable pre-payment will be charged shortly after you confirm your participation in the program
2. The remaining balance will be charged in March prior to departure

For a full breakdown of costs, please see the Athens fee sheet.

Tuition: 3 credits paid at your IU-Bloomington tuition rate 

Students will pay for 3 credit hours of tuition based on their student status (resident/non-resident, graduate/undergraduate, etc.) on the Bloomington campus.

Additional Costs

Students will pay for their own flight to and from Greece, meals that are not included in the Program Fee, and other personal incidentals. 

Scholarships

The O’Neill International Office offers several scholarships to support students studying abroad. The O’Neill International Equal Opportunity Scholarship is a need-based award available to help O'Neill students from IUB and IUI to be able to study abroad. Please visit our scholarship page for eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Other need and merit-based scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Students are encouraged to apply widely to all scholarships they are eligible for. Please email us at oio@iu.edu if you want help navigating different funding resources.

During the application period (November 1 - December 8) an "Apply Now" button will be available at the top of this page. You will need to submit the online application by 11:59pm on December 8. 

Please review our detailed application instructions!

If you have any issues or questions throughout the application process, contact us via email: oio@iu.edu

• Ability to Walk Long Distances Daily: Participants should be prepared to walk at least 3-5 miles each day, often in urban areas or on uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets.
• Ability to Walk on Uneven Ground and Climb Stairs: Some excursions may require walking on uneven ground or cobblestones and managing multiple flights of stairs at once. A basic level of fitness is necessary.
• Ability to Manage Stressful Situations: Students should be able to navigate stressful situations such as crowded areas, time zone changes, language barriers, and group travel dynamics.
• Ability to Adapt to a New Culture: Willingness to embrace a different culture and step outside one’s comfort zone is essential. Students should be prepared to adapt to new customs, food, norms, and environments.
• Ability to Navigate New Cities Independently: Participants should feel comfortable navigating new cities in small groups, using maps or public transportation.
• Ability to Stay Calm and Focused in Unfamiliar Environments: Students may encounter unfamiliar situations such as navigating airports, public transportation, or crowded cities. The ability to stay calm and focused is important.
• Ability to Identify and Cope with Personal Stressors: Understanding one’s own stressors (e.g., travel fatigue, group dynamics) and employing coping mechanisms is essential for a smooth experience.
• Ability to Adjust to Language Barriers: Students should be open to learning key phrases in the local language (e.g., ordering food, asking for directions).
• Openness to Embrace Group Dynamics and Teamwork: Programs often involve group work, requiring openness to grow as a team member, listen to others, and share responsibilities.
• Willingness to Broaden Perspectives: A core part of the experience is expanding one’s worldview. Students must be willing to broaden their perspectives and learn about new cultures, even if it challenges their existing beliefs.