Semester in Italy & Greece
Italy and Greece: countries rich in history and culture that have had a significant influence on how the Western world thinks about philosophy, art, religion, economics, and politics. Throughout their histories, they have shown resilience in adapting to social, political and environmental change, and today they continue to maintain a connection with traditional ways of living while also proactively addressing modern challenges associated with environmental and economic consequences of climate change.
Italy and Greece provide rich historical context as to how societies have evolved to meet the demands of the modern era while remaining deeply rooted in cultural identity, tradition, and heritage. Carpe Diem Education takes you to Italy and Greece to engage with communities that are proactively addressing climate change through the lens of resilience and regeneration.
Program Details
Length
Spring 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: 70 days (10 weeks)
Program Dates*
Spring 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: September 25 - December 4
* Dates may fluctuate depending on flight times and availability.
Group Size
A maximum of 13 Students & 2 Overseas Educators
Eligibility
Our typical student is between 17-22, though we sometimes work with students slightly outside that range depending on circumstances.
College Credit & Scholarships
Learn more about: College Credit and Scholarships
Language Requirements
None
Cost
Spring 2025 (56 days): $15,900
Fall 2025 (70 days): $19,900
Program tuition includes all food, accommodations, scheduled program activities, and international travel insurance for the duration of the program. International airfare and spending money are extra. International airfare estimated at $1600 - $2000.
Climate Nutritional Facts
Being aware of our footprint is a great first step. Learning what to do about it, is ahead. To start mitigating the extra carbon of your trip, students are encouraged to consider eating a low-meat diet, purchasing locally-made green products, using public transit where available, and talking to their local community and politicians about climate change.
During this program students will "inset" much of their carbon through volunteer projects. Students will eat and drink from typically immediately local sources, staying in housing that supports local entrepreneurs and communities, and learning about ways to better the environment that can be taken home.
About Our Italy & Greece Semester
Beginning our journey in Italy, we’ll spend the first week of the semester on a farm outside of Rome, getting to know each other, more about the program, and starting to dive into the impacts climate change has had on small family farms. We’ll start to explore the role of food in Italian culture too - with opportunities for activities like cheese making, pizza making, and cider pressing.
From the country to the city - we’ll spend a few days in Rome, enjoying the history, art, culture, and food that this city is known for. We’ll also dive into Italian language study as a means to learn the basics and show our commitment to being respectful and engaged travelers.
We’ll take an opportunity to travel slowly - following the Via Francigena, one of the ancient pilgrimage routes throughout Italy. We’ll spend 5 days walking through Tuscany, taking time for reflection as well as diving into local history and culture with our guides.
Inspired by our time on pilgrimage, we’ll next spend some time in Firenze (Florence), exploring this city that is considered the “birthplace of the Renaissance” and meeting with local environmental educators and spending time in an urban garden, learning about climate change in an urban setting.
Travel to the southern province of Matera and engage with a local NGO that is focusing on social issues related to climate change and access to resources. The group will participate in projects that support reducing consumption, as well as encourage reuse and recycling within the community. We’ll also get to meet with local youth and help with the seasonal olive harvest!
Saying farewell to Italy, we’ll fly directly to the Island of Crete where we will witness examples of resilience and regeneration specific to traditional agricultural practices. We’ll meet with local farmers, archaeologists, and teachers - and also take some time to explore the island's many opportunities for hiking and beaches.
From Crete, we’ll head to Athens! We’ll take a few days to explore historical sites, practicing basic Greek in local markets, and learning about this amazing city that is the birthplace of democracy!
Traveling to the mountainous region of the Peloponnese peninsula, we learn about the concept of “re-greening” our lives while also taking time to slow down and reflect as we end our journey. There will be opportunities to learn about yoga and meditation to restore our bodies and minds, while also learning about ways to restore our planet.
In our final week, we’ll have a chance for student directed travel! Putting to use what we’ve been learning all semester, we’ll explore Greece together before we fly home from Athens.
Questions We'll Explore:
- How do traditional systems of knowledge relate to the current environmental and social climate?
- What challenges are communities facing specific to climate change, and how are they addressing this issue?
- What are real, tangible ways that we can change our daily habits in order to promote climate resilience?
- How can local food, water, and energy economies contribute to greater climate resilience and more cohesive communities?
Carpe Diem Education’s Italy and Greece semester takes you to the heart of the Mediterranean region. By focusing on climate change through the lens of Resilience and Regeneration, we look not only at the problem of climate change but also at the proactive and life-affirming ways that we can overcome current and future challenges.
Testimonials
"I left my semester abroad feeling confident in my abilities to navigate an unknown world and be a successful traveler. With every day came a new learning experience and room to grow as a person. With Carpe Diem, every day is a new adventure."
-Desiree,
CDE Student
"I would recommend this experience to anyone. It expanded my confidence, advanced my language skills, and introduced me to a group of friends that I will have for the rest of my life."
- CDE Student
"Deciding to participate in a Carpe program during my gap year was probably one of the best decisions of my life. It was so amazing to travel in a country by truly getting to know the people who live there and the culture. An authentic, immersive experience is something Carpe prioritizes and everything we did felt very intentional..."
- CDE Student
