Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the cost for the program?
A. The cost of the program is $6,500. Airfare is additional. Applicants are required to submit a $1,600 deposit.
Q. When is Greek Summer 2027?
A. Participants depart the United States on Monday, June 21, 2027, and depart Thessaloniki, Greece, for the return journey on Wednesday, July 21, 2027.
Q: Will I be able to earn community service hours?
A. Yes. Greek Summer is a service-oriented program. An official letter stating the number of hours served will be provided upon request after the program’s completion.
Q. What are the age requirements for Greek Summer?
A. Greek Summer is limited to high school students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11 or 12.
Q. Can people from outside the United States attend the program?
A. Yes.
Q. Do I need to speak Greek to participate in the program?
A. No, you do not need to speak Greek. Most of the students on the program have little or no experience with the Greek language.
Q. Can Greek Summer accommodate special diets?
A. Food is an important part of Greek culture, and experiencing traditional Greek cuisine is an integral part of Greek Summer. Meals provide participants with an opportunity to experience local traditions, particularly during the village homestay and while traveling throughout Greece.While reasonable dietary needs can often be accommodated, participants with significant dietary restrictions—including strict vegetarian or other specialized diets—should be aware that their choices may sometimes be limited and that they may not be able to experience the full breadth of traditional Greek cuisine. Families with specific dietary concerns are encouraged to discuss them with Greek Summer staff before enrolling.
Q. How physically demanding is Greek Summer?
A. Greek Summer is an active program, and participants should be comfortable spending time outdoors and taking part in a range of physical activities. These include hands-on farm work as well as walking and hiking during our full-day Mount Olympus experience. Greece can also be quite warm during the summer months.Prospective participants with health concerns, orthopedic conditions, mobility limitations, or other medical issues that may be affected by strenuous physical activity should carefully consider the nature of the program. When appropriate, families are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider to determine whether participation is advisable.
Q. What kind of farm work will I do?
A. Hands-on participation is an important part of life at the American Farm School. In addition to educational experiences such as Greek language instruction, yogurt making, winemaking, and learning about aromatic plants, participants take part in seasonal farm activities.Depending on the needs of the farm, these may include weeding, harvesting, cutting and sorting aromatic plants, landscaping, and other agricultural tasks. Participants should come prepared to get their hands dirty, work outdoors, and take an active role in farm life—even during Greece’s warm summer weather. It is all part of experiencing the American Farm School firsthand!
Q. Is there anybody in my area with whom I could speak about the program?
A. Greek Summer has nearly 2,000 alumni across the United States, and many are eager to speak about their experiences. Contact us at greeksummer@afs.edu.gr to find a Greek Summer alumni in your area.
