LIVING GREEK IN GREECE:
Hymn to Apollo
JULY 27, 2025 - AUGUST 9, 2025
APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES
Thank you for expressing interest in Living Greek in Greece. We hope that you will join us in the “Garden of the Muses” as part of a group of enthusiastic students of the Ancient Greek language.
Please read these application guidelines thoroughly, then fill out the application linked at the bottom of this page.
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.
Participants in the program are divided into sections based upon their experience with Greek. Seminars meet twice a day for one hour, five days a week. At the beginner level, participants read and discuss selections from the text in Greek, review Greek grammar through activities and games, and begin to practice speaking Greek as a living language. At the intermediate level, more of the text is read in Greek and discussion takes place primarily in Greek. At the advanced level, participants read and discuss the entire text in Greek.
All levels feature Paideia’s interactive Living Greek pedagogy, which invites participants to treat Ancient Greek as an active, living language. Research into second language acquisition shows that speaking Greek as a living language helps students learn the language more quickly and effectively than they do from the traditional grammar-translation method alone. Speaking Greek also helps the learner gain an intuitive feel for Greek and build fluency in the language. Many Greek speakers also find that discussing Greek literature in Greek opens up new interpretive pathways by dispensing with the need for translation.
In 2025 the central reading for Living Greek in Greece will be The Homeric Hymn to Apollo, paired with a visit to the ancient sites of Delphi and Mount Helicon (the home of the Muses)
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Participants should know the basics of Greek grammar. This usually means at least one year of studying Ancient Greek at the college-level. 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 should consider Living Greek in Greece High School.
An application must be received by March 1, 2025 to be guaranteed full consideration. We will notify all applicants of the results approximately 3 weeks after this date. Applications received after this deadline can only be considered on a rolling basis depending on availability.
CLASSROOM
Classes at Living Greek in Greece are held at the Hellenikon Idyllion, a hotel and Hellenic cultural center located in the charming seaside village of Selianitika on the north coast of the Peloponnese. Classes take place outdoors in a lush garden, just a few meters from the beach.
TUITION AND FEES
The tuition for Living Greek in Greece is $2500. This includes instruction, as well as transportation, group meals and housing during the weekend trip to Delphi. It does not include housing in Selianitika. Airfare is not included, and participants must bring their own edition of the course’s main text. The Institute will operate a free shuttle to and from Athens on arrival and departure day.
HOUSING AND OTHER COSTS
Participants must arrange their own housing in Selianitika. The Paideia Institute has negotiated discounted group rates with several trusted housing providers in hotel and apartment style accommodations. Approximate rates for each type of lodging for the duration of the program are listed below. Contact information for housing providers and group discount codes (if available) will be provided upon acceptance. Participants are also welcome to book accommodations in dorms, hotels, or apartments of their choice. Estimated rates for each type of lodging for the duration of the program are listed below (subject to availability).
Off-site apartments shared with other participants in Selianitika: $550
Hotel room shared with another participant in Selianitika: $500
Single Hotel Room in Selianitika: $1000
Private Apartment at the Idyllion (limited availability): $1500
Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, daily expenses for meals, and spending money are not included in the cost of tuition. The cost of life in Greece can vary greatly depending on one’s tastes, but at the very least we recommend that participants budget €20/day for food. Please consider the exchange rate when planning your budget.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required of all participants by April 1, 2025. Our acknowledgment of receipt of this deposit guarantees the participant a place in the program. The remaining $2000 is due by May 1, 2025.
TRAVEL
Participants should plan to arrive in Athens by Sunday, July 27th.
If you do not have a valid passport, get one immediately. This process can be time consuming and should not be left to the last minute.
The Institute will operate a free shuttle to and from Athens on arrival and departure day. Precise details will be provided after program acceptance.
IMPORTANT: Please do not book non-refundable travel before the deposit deadline of April 1st. We will confirm on April 2nd whether enough students have enrolled for the program to run.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Paideia Institute is able to offer a number of full and partial scholarships to participants with demonstrated financial need. Please visit our scholarships page to learn more. Scholarship applications must be received by March 1, 2025.
QUESTIONS
Please direct all questions to [email protected].
APPLICATION
To apply, please complete the following application form by March 1, 2025. Applications received after March 1st will be considered on a rolling basis as space becomes available.