Faculty-led Program in Greece (Prof. Bruess/Varela)

‌Students in this program will gain an appreciation of Greek classical, medieval, and modern civilizations by traversing Greece, visiting ancient archeological sites and museums, exploring Byzantine castles and monasteries, wandering the streets of a variety of Greek cities and towns, traveling to a few of Greece’s renowned islands, and interacting with contemporary Greeks.

“I believe this program is one of the best UNI has to offer. Going with Greg and Isabela made this trip. Isabela and Greg know so much about Greece and the history of the country that they are able to navigate through this program in a way that is fun and exciting. I loved every minute of it and would do it over again so many times if I could.” - past participant

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: December 22, 2024
Program Dates: June 2, 2025 to June 23, 2025 (Dates tentative)

To get started for Summer Break-Greece 2025, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

"This was by far the best experience of my life. I don’t regret anything about this trip. I met some of the best people, saw the best things, and ate the best food. We saw a little bit of everything which I am so grateful for. Our professors were amazing and really helped make the trip as good as it was." - past participant

"You will be completely immersed in the Greek culture to the point where it will feel like a home away from home! It was an amazing experience!”
-past participant

Course Leaders

Drs. Bruess and Varela have countless years of experience in Greece. They are extremely proud to have had the privilege to introduce more than 350 students to Greece and to share with them their love of its stunning natural beauty, history, culture, and society. Their program began in 1999 and is the longest, continuously running study abroad program at UNI.

Gregory Bruess, Associate Dean & Associate Professor, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Phone: 319-273-3752
E-mail: gregory.bruess@uni.edu
Campus Address: SAB 319

Dr. Gregory Bruess is currently the Associate Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a professor in the department of History. He earned his PhD at the University of Minnesota and is a specialist in Orthodox Christianity, Modern Russian and Greek history. Since 1982, he has traveled extensively in Greece, where he has studied, conducted research, and presented numerous scholarly papers at universities and institutes. Dr. Bruess is fluent in Greek.

"“Gregory and Isabela are the best instructors you could possibly have." -past participant

Isabela Varela, Ph.D.

E-mail: isabelavar@gmail.com

Dr. Isabela Varela is a licensed Greek Tour Guide, accredited by the Greek Ministry of Culture, an expert on Greek archeological sites and museums as well as ancient Greek and Byzantine art and culture. Dr. Varela brings to this course nearly three decades of experience in leading groups and providing detailed information about visited location’s history, culture, traditions, and landmarks. She is a graduate of the State School of Tour Guides, Athens, Greece, and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Varela grew up in Greece and she is a native speaker of Greek and Spanish.

"Having a professor who was Greek and spoke the language as well as understood the culture truly helped me appreciate the country I was in and learn more effectively." -past participant

Academics

1) HIST 3279: Conflict and Justice - Study Abroad: Greece: From the "Cradle of Democracy" to Today (3 credit hours)

2) HIST 3186 Study Abroad Greece: History of Greek Material Culture (2 credit hours).

HIST 3279 satisfies the UNIFI Responsibility category. It can count as a general education UNIFI elective credit under the category of Connect.
HIST 3186 qualifies as an History and University elective. If interested in earning History major or minor credits, talk to your advisor!

The purpose of the courses are twofold: Give students the opportunity to visit and experience the “cradle of Western civilization;” and challenge them to re-examine that very same “classical” perception of Greece and the Greeks in light of Greece’s other rich heritages: Greece of the Byzantine Empire, Greece during its 350-year occupation by the Ottoman Turks, and modern Greece, that is, Greece since 1821.While in Greece, students will attend lectures on various aspects of Greek civilization and participate in class visits to site locations. Students will be asked to address such diverse issues as: the role of geography on Greek civilization; the impact of Catholic and Islamic rule on Greek culture; the use of myth, religion, and modern political philosophy to legitimize thought and deed; the challenge of modern city planning and living amidst archeological treasures; the impact of tourism on Greek society; and how Greeks view themselves and their past.

**Participants will also take one course in the spring to prepare for the study abroad experience, HIST 3186 - 01 Studies in History: Preparation Study Abroad - Greece (1 credit hour). Mandatory meetings will be held Thursdays at 4 pm during the spring semester. For information on enrolling in this spring course, participants should contact the program's course leaders.

No prerequisites. All majors welcome. Participation in this program requires several class meetings during the spring semester, although the course is scheduled as a summer program course. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements.

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, June 2, 2025 - Monday, June 23, 2025. (Dates do not include travel to/from destination)

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Arrive in Athens

Days 2-4: Visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Walk the streets of Athens and learn about Ancient, Byzantine, and Modern Greece while standing before famous locations such as the Agora, the Modern Olympic Stadium, the Neoclassical Trilogy, the Parliament, the Plaka district, and Syntagma Square. Visit the National Archeological Museum

Day 5: En route to Nafplio, one of the most picturesque cities on mainland Greece, stop and see the Corinth Canal which connects the Saronic with the Corinthian Gulfs; visit Ancient Corinth and stand where the Apostle Paul preached.

Day 6-8: Visit the prehistoric site of Mycenae, home of the mythical King Agamemnon; the Sanctuary of Asclepius; and the spectacular Theater of Epidaurus. Enjoy free time to explore Nafplio, climb to Palamidi Fortress for a breath-taking view, and swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 9: Visit Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games and see the stadium where the games began; See a remarkable collection of sculpture, bronze, and large terracotta works dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period in the Museum of Olympia.

Day 10: In Ancient Delphi, visit the Sanctuary of Apollo on the steep slopes of Mt. Parnassos and see the place where, according to legend, the oracle delivered Apollo’s pronouncements to mortals.

Days 11-12: Meteora Monasteries - Experience this unique and stunning landscape created by nature 30 million years ago. Visit the monasteries perched high atop sandstone peaks. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 13: Back to Athens – Free day to explore.

Day 14: Fly to the island of Crete; visit the prehistoric palace of Knossos, home of the legendary King Minos and the minotaur; and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Days 14-19: Explore Rethymno while you soak up its culture and history. Enjoy the amazing beaches and enjoy a day trip to the island of Santorini, renowned for the whitewashed, cubiform houses, its caldera and breathtaking views, and its prehistory. Visit the Prehistoric Museum of Thera and learn about prehistoric Akrotiri and the 16th-century BC volcanic explosion that destroyed it.

Days 20-21: Return to Athens; Free day

Day 22: Departure

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Greece, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Greece

Housing & Meals

Accommodations, most daily meals, local transportation, and cultural activities are included in the program cost. Students stay in 2- and 3- star hotels.

Program Costs

Summer 2025 Estimated Program Cost: $7,975*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$7,975
Estimated U-bill charges	$5,183
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,792

Summer 2025 Estimated Budget Sheet (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.