Course Description
Living Greek in Greece is an intensive Ancient Greek language and literature experience set in the Peloponnese. Through a variety of curricular offerings ranging from grammar-review games to free-form seminars on advanced texts, participants learn to understand and appreciate ancient Greek with the fluency one expects of a living language. To the extent possible, the language of instruction in all class sessions is Attic Greek.
In addition to the daily language curriculum, the program includes optional lectures and workshops related to Greek literature, history and culture. The program also features a trip to important sites in Greece that are relevant to the year’s theme or text.
In 2026, the central reading for Living Greek in Greece was The Frogs by Aristophanes with a weekend trip to Epidaurus, and culminated in a theatrical production of the play in ancient Greek in the ruins of an ancient theater. The theme for Living Greek in Greece 2027 will be announced in the fall.
Prerequisites
Participants should know the basics of Greek grammar. This usually means one year of college Ancient Greek. No experience speaking Greek is required, but experienced Greek speakers are also encouraged to apply. Paideia alumni and Nexus members are particularly encouraged to apply.
Participants must be 18 years or older. Students under the age of 18 and students who have not yet graduated from high school should consider Living Greek in Greece High School.
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Interested in this program?
More information about Living Greek in Greece 2027 will be posted here in October. To receive an application as soon as it becomes available, please fill out the form below. For any questions, please email [email protected].
What People Are Saying
"Living Greek in Greece is special. It is a little piece of the Eleusinian mysteries in the form of humanistic education. NYC, Greece, and the world are lucky to have this program. Every human culture deserves a Paideia Institute and a LGiG. May we know ourselves. --John Faubion '26
"Paideia’s Living Greek in Greece program was an unforgettable experience. The highlight was performing Aristophanes in Ancient Greek in an actual ancient theater, before a wonderfully appreciative Greek audience. After days of rehearsing together, bringing the language and the play to life in the setting for which Greek drama was created was both exhilarating and deeply rewarding.
Just as memorable was the camaraderie that developed among the participants. The program brought together people with a shared enthusiasm for Greek, and the combination of studying, rehearsing, exploring, and simply spending time together created a real sense of community. Throughout it all, Paideia’s staff brought remarkable expertise, humor, talent, enthusiasm, and generosity to the experience. Furthermore, the charming and beautiful setting in Selianitika made it all the more magical." --Tally Beck '26
"Paideia's Living Greek in Greece program was a wonderful experience. Speaking the language and discussing Aristophanes' Frogs in Ancient Greek helped make the play and language come alive in a way they would not have otherwise, which was further heightened by actually performing the play for a public audience. Additionally, the program came with opportunities to visit ancient sites, such as Epidaurus and Mycenae, and we both say a play performed in an ancient theater, and performed one ourselves, bring us closer to the Ancient Greek world in the process. Throughout the program, Paideia's staff and faculty, as well as the other students, were great to converse with and get to know; I really appreciate having had the opportunity to study Greek with so many interesting people." --Shankar Viswanathan '26
“Living Greek in Greece is a great program and meets students where they are at. It is a win-win environment for all the students. It is fun learning from the enthusiastic teachers and meeting fellow learners with other interests. You will meet actors, singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, and polyglots. It is a unique space with a unique history. It is a bit like stepping back in time.” -John Faubion ‘24
"The Paideia Institute is unique not only in its approach to language instruction, but also by virtue of the startling expertise and talent harnessed by its staff. What a treat it was to spend two weeks with high-level classicists and fluent speakers of ancient Greek, all of whom were delighted to help me make the most of my learning experience. Looking back, I am almost perplexed by the fact that, more than the program’s rich curriculum and its near-fantastic setting, it is Paideia’s didactic talent that stands out in my mind. I feel particularly lucky to have been a part of a learning program focused on a dramatic performance. While living ancient Greek is enriching on its own, living a heightened version of life in ancient Greek made for an even more intense learning experience. Committing pages of Greek text to memory was one of those tasks that seemed utterly unimaginable at first – and, once completed, made me see myself in a new light. I am excited to, in the future, approach ancient tragedy with an appreciation that is both more informed and more personal than it was before." -Daphne Busek '22 and '23
"The immersive approach, expert faculty, beautiful setting and wonderful food combined to make this the perfect summer getaway for any avid hellenist." - David Greenwald '22 and '23
"My experience this summer with Paideia was incredible, educationally and interpersonally. My Greek improved by leaps and bounds, especially in small group sessions with my instructor. I am very grateful not only to have this spoken Greek experience, but to have it in Greece itself and with so many wonderful and knowledgeable people. " - Danny O. '22
"Living Greek in Greece provides a context for ancient Greek language learning that is not elsewhere replicated. While using spoken pedagogy in modern-day Greece, the world-class teachers nevertheless see the program as a means to unlocking the niche of classical history, poetry and philosophy. " - Will '22