Discover Greek Ruins: Study Abroad with Gordon and ACT This Summer 

In summer 2025 Gordon students will have the unique opportunity to take part in archaeological excavations in Greece through a new partnership with the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT). And thanks to generous funding from the Gerondelis Foundation Foundation, seven to nine students who attend this study abroad opportunity will have the cost of tuition and housing covered, for the experience of a lifetime.  

A New Way to Study Abroad in Greece 

Gordon’s Global Education Office (GEO) created a semester-abroad program in Greece last year thanks to a partnership built by Heather (Funk) Theodoridi ’00, the director of international programs and student services at ACT. One Gordon student already studied in Greece last spring, and three more will attend the spring 2025 semester. 

However, ACT offers a special course, “Methods and Practices of Archaeological Excavation,” only during the summer. This course explores approaches to excavation supplemented by hands-on fieldwork at the archaeological site of Toumba. Theodoridi and Gordon’s GEO wanted to make it possible for Gordon students to experience this course, given that Greece is home to some of the most historical, biblically connected archeological sites in the world. 

Though students who are history or biblical studies majors may be most intrigued by the ACT summer program, it’s open to students of all majors. The archeological excavation class is the signature course of the summer program, but students can choose up to six credits of other courses to take instead if they feel they are a better fit for their academic interests. The scholarship will cover courses that are humanities-based, making it possible to study Greek history and philosophy in the place where they happened.  

“Gordon’s study abroad options are currently limited to programs during the academic year, specifically the spring and fall semesters,” said GEO Program Coordinator Sara Booth. “Adding a summer program will make it possible for more students to study abroad, like student athletes or those in music performance and education majors who have too many commitments during the school year to leave for a semester.” 

Study Abroad Scholarships from Gerondelis  

For many semester-long study abroad programs, Gordon students have the luxury of letting their Gordon tuition cover international tuition. But since this new program takes place during the summer, that won’t be an option. So, to make the program affordable and accessible, ACT and Theodoridi worked to find a solution.  

They found it in the Gerondelis Foundation, a nonprofit that supports education for people or programs with Greek connections on the North Shore. Since the study abroad program is in Greece, and Gordon students study on the North Shore, ACT and Theodoridi worked with the Foundation to secure up to nine full scholarships for summer 2025, which will cover tuition and housing. 

Thanks to Theodoridi ACT will provide Gordon students rooms in their international student housing in downtown Thessaloniki. Gordon students will also be part of a summer cohort during their stay, overseen by Theodoridi, which will bring them into a community of students from all over the world who are studying at ACT. 

How Can I Study Abroad in Greece for Summer 2025? 

The application process for this program is similar to Gordon’s process for applying to a semester partner program. Interested students must submit an application by January 20 to GEO. If Gordon approves the application, they will then apply to the ACT program. Scholarships will then be awarded based on participant acceptance. If you are a Gordon student with a 2.5 GPA or higher of at least sophomore standing, apply today to GEO for a chance to study archaeology in the land where the Apostle Paul preached the gospel. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.