Program Details
Location
Athens,
Greece
Term
May Session (Spring semester on campus)
Housing
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
2.5
About
Greece is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, ancient civilization, and cultural contributions to the world. It is often referred to as the birthplace of western civilization and holds a prominent place in history due to its influence on philosophy, democracy, art, architecture, and—especially—medicine. On this 3-credit embedded study abroad course, you will learn about these contributions on campus during the spring semester, and then travel to Greece for 2 weeks in May for hands-on learning.
Ancient Greece made significant contributions to the field of medicine, laying the foundation for modern medical practices and theories. In addition to its historical significance, Greece boasts a rich cultural heritage evident in its traditional music, dance, art, and cuisine. Like many other countries worldwide, Greece aligns its policies and initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to address global challenges including health, poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Over the period of this course, you will learn from Greece's extensive history regarding health and medicine, and work in teams to create a final project related to the SDGs.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
Live in shared housing for the duration of the program. Some meals will be provided.
Excursions
Excursions in Greece may include:
- Aegina Island
- Temple of Poseidon
- Parthenon
- Acropolis
- Ancient and modern Olympic stadiums
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate the global Sustainable Development Goals framework and understand Greece’s plans and approaches to meet those goals by 2030. Compare and contrast Greece’s progress with the international community progress.
- Using an equity, social justice and cultural lens, compare and contrast healthcare in Greece with other healthcare systems in the world, including the US and Minnesota.
- Describe the ethical challenges and cultural influences on systems and approaches that influence health in Greece, as well as in the US and Minnesota.
Faculty & Staff
This program will be led by Karin Hamilton, DVM, MPH, coordinator and instructor, Global Programs, Pre-Health Student Resource Center, and Siri Schroeder, MSW, LGSW, Career Counselor, Pre-Health Student Resource Center.
Dr. Karin Hamilton is a public health veterinarian. She has been a co-leader of the Greece, Ecuador, France, India, Panama, and Thailand programs. She is passionate about global health, intercultural development, and leading study abroad programs.
Siri Schroeder is a social worker and Career Counselor in the PHSRC. She enjoys working with students to explore their goals, values, and interests in a health career. She believes that as learning abroad expands the world, the world expands the possibilities and purposes students can choose to pursue.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000 level coursework
Courseload
One 4-credit course
This seminar is a 2+ week study abroad program led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Course Schedule
This is an embedded spring semester course, with the abroad portion in Greece taking place over May session at the end of the semester. On-campus classes take place in the second half of the spring semester.
| Term | Course Schedule |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | On-Campus course: B-term—Mondays from 1:25–3:20 p.m., East Bank Abroad Term: May 16–31, 2026 |
Note: This course has permission numbers. These will be shared once the program and roster is confirmed, generally about 2 weeks after the application deadline. You should hold the number of credits and the date/time of the on-campus class in your schedule.
Students from other UofM campuses
There is an option to participate in the on-campus portion remotely. Reach out to the program leaders to confirm. You will need to work with your academic adviser and campus enrollment office and do a Multi-I enrollment for this program. There may be additional or different tuition owed as part of the program fee.
Coursework
Coursework will include graded reflections, participation in class discussions and activities, and a final team project focusing on one of the sustainable development goals.
Receive credit for: Approved for AHS 3005
Approved for: Global Perspectives liberal education theme
Modern Medicine through History in Greece syllabus
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being—Learn about what Greece is doing to increase access to affordable and quality health care services.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Program Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| May Session 2026 | May 16–May 31, 2026 | January 30, 2026 (extended!) |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Nov. 18th | 2:00 p.m. | Hybrid (UMR campus (Usquare 414). Register here. **This session is only for this program & will be co-hosted by the program leaders |
| Wednesday, Nov. 19th | 4:00 p.m. | Greece Exhibition—info session/student panel/interactive learning. Register here. Email PHSRC with questions at [email protected]. |
| Thursday, Nov. 20th | 12:00 p.m. | Hybrid (Heller Hall 230C, West Bank). Register here. |
| Wednesday, Dec. 3rd | 3:00 p.m. | Hybrid (Heller Hall 230C, West Bank). Register here. |
On Campus Dates
Spring 2026—B-term: Mondays, Mondays from 1:25–3:20 p.m, East Bank
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Priority Deadline
If you apply by the priority deadline and confirm within the allotted time you will receive the published program fee. Applying after the priority deadline and/or not confirming within the allotted time means you may be subject to an airfare increase.
Fees
The cost of participation includes educational costs, group flight airfare, program administration, housing, most meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, and local transportation. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.
Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
If you are registered for less than 13 credits or if you are a non-UofM student or a UofM graduate student, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship
Special funding is available if you are a first-year student through the Gerald B. & Catherine L. Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship.
Additional Scholarship Opportunity for Passport Funding
Students on a 2025–26 winter break, May, and summer Learning Abroad Center Seminar who apply for the Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 scholarship application cycles will receive an additional $500. Recipients will be selected based on score and awarded while funding remains. No additional scholarship application is required. This award is funded by the generous support of WorldStrides, an LAC partner organization.
External Scholarship: Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant
Undergraduate students with a minimum 3.75 GPA are encouraged to apply for the Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. There are 75 $1,000 grants that will be given to students who travel between May 1, 2026–June 30 2027. Learn more and apply for the grant.
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Award Date: May 1, 2026
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
May Session 2026 (Spring on campus course)
Modern Medicine through History in Greece
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
Register for On-Campus Course
Your participation on this program is secured by applying and confirming through the Learning Abroad Center application process first.
Once confirmed, you will also need to register for the on-campus course AHS 3005. This course has permission numbers. These will be shared once the program and roster is confirmed, generally about 2 weeks after the application deadline. You should hold the number of credits and the date/time of the on-campus class in your schedule.
You will receive a permission code in order to register for the course. Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Learning Abroad Center, will not hold your spot in the program.
Note: Register for Multi-I enrollment if you are a student from another UofM campus. You will need to work with your academic adviser on the registration process.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.