Athens, Greece – Entrepreneurial Greece: Innovation, Business, and Culture

Dates: May 16 – 25, 2027

Course Title: GEUR 398 – Entrepreneurial Greece: Innovation, Business, and Culture

Section Number: 003

Course Description: This faculty-led program invites students to discover how one of the world's oldest civilizations is shaping the future of business. This immersive study abroad program takes students beyond the classroom to explore Greece's dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem while experiencing the country's rich cultural heritage. Throughout the program, students will engage with local entrepreneurs and business leaders, visit innovative companies, and learn how Greek businesses balance tradition with innovation in sectors such as tourism, food production, and hospitality. Students will also travel beyond Athens to historic destinations including Nafplio, Ancient Nemea, Epidaurus, and Cape Sounion, gaining insight into the relationship between Greece's history, economy, and modern business landscape. This program offers a unique opportunity to develop intercultural competencies, build professional networks, and experience firsthand how innovation and tradition coexist in one of Europe's most fascinating destinations.

Instructor: Dr. Monica Karachaliou (Europe Center)

Credits: 3 liberal arts credits. All study abroad courses also count as Honors College credits for students in the Honors College. NO SUBSTITUTIONS.

Spring Term Meeting Day/Time: Wednesdays, 5:00–6:50 PM EST (Teams), 3/10/2027–5/4/2027

Travel Dates: May 16–25, 2027

Travel Details: Arrive at Athens International Airport between 10 AM–1 PM on 5/16/2027 for free group transport to the hotel; students unable to arrive in that window may pay a small fee for individual transport. Check out by 11 AM on 5/25/2027.

Accommodation: Hotel Athinais, 99 Vasilissis Sofias Av, 115 21 Athens; private double or triple rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Fees:

Total Program Fee: $3,085.00 (does not include airfare)

This fee includes:

• Round-trip airport transfer
• Bus transport to field trips
• All field trips and associated fees
• Books and course materials
• Hotel accommodation
• All breakfasts; select lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance

Also not included:

• Metro tickets (budget approximately $3/day)

Tentative Itinerary

• Day 1 (May 16): Arrival at the airport, private bus transfer to the hotel, check-in, walking tour, welcome dinner.
• Day 2 (May 17): Acropolis Museum and Acropolis Hill.
• Day 3 (May 18): Business visit and food tour of local businesses.
• Day 4 (May 19): Stadium of Nemea, business visit to a local winery, lunch or dinner in Nafplio, overnight in Nafplio.
• Day 5 (May 20): Ancient theater of Epidaurus, olive oil tasting, return to Athens.
• Day 6 (May 21): Free day for cultural immersion.
• Day 7 (May 22): Greek dance class and group project.
• Day 8 (May 23): Cape Sounion, Temple of Poseidon, beach time.
• Day 9 (May 24): Business visit and farewell dinner.
• Day 10 (May 25): Check out and private bus transfer to the airport.

Guidelines For All Courses

• Open to all undergraduate LIU students not graduating in May 2027.
• P1, P2, and P3 Pharmacy students are also invited to participate.
• Non-LIU undergraduate students are also welcome to enroll, but must pay the additional charge listed under Understanding Extra Fees below.
• These are spring courses with a travel component after the spring semester's coursework concludes.
• Courses meet no more than 5 times during the semester; students should keep Wednesdays from 5:00-6:50 PM on 3/10/2027–5/4/2027 open.
• Courses are typically capped around 22 students, depending on location, with a minimum of 10 students required to run.
• Students with a weekly meeting time conflict should contact Dr. Barton before enrolling. Please do not sign up for the course before speaking with Dr. Barton.
• Students must adhere to the conduct rules outlined in the Student Handbook while on all trips.
• If students do not adhere to these rules, they can be expelled from the trip at their own expense.

Travel Requirements

• All participants must carry a valid passport for the entire duration of travel.
• Travel insurance is included in the program fee and is mandatory for all participants.
• Students must comply with all LIU codes of conduct while abroad.
• No visa is required for U.S. citizens for stays under 90 days in France, Germany, or Greece. Non-U.S. citizens should reach out to the Center-specific Director below to discuss travel requirements.
• Passports should have at least six months of validity remaining beyond the return date from the Schengen Area.
• New for 2027 travel: the EU's ETIAS travel authorization is expected to launch in Q4 2026 and become mandatory by approximately April 2027. Students traveling to Europe should be prepared to apply for ETIAS online before departure (a small fee applies).

Understanding Extra Fees

• $1,307.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU undergraduate students.
• $1,549.00 additional charge per credit over 18 for LIU students in the professional phase of the Pharmacy program.
• $4,450.00 additional charge for non-LIU undergraduate visiting students.

Deadlines

Students must enroll by December 6, 2026.

Registration

Complete the registration form (https://forms.office.com/r/qudLmHcaKu) by December 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM to reserve your place in the course. Submitting the form confirms your commitment to take the course and your acceptance of liability for all associated travel fees.

A member of the Global College team will follow up to enroll you in the correct section; students cannot self-register for these courses through MyLIU. You must be available for the weekly virtual meeting time during the spring semester, as this is a for-credit class. If you have a time conflict due to a mandatory course, a varsity sport, or an LIU artistic requirement, email Gregory.Barton@liu.edu to discuss participating asynchronously through recordings. Please do not sign up for the course before speaking with Dr. Barton.

If a course is full, you may join the waitlist; if a spot opens, you will be notified directly and given 24 hours to claim it.

Students graduating in May 2027 cannot take these courses. Each course requires a minimum of 10 students to run — please wait for confirmation from the Global College team before booking flights.

Non-LIU students should email Global@liu.edu.

Scholarships

The Study Abroad Fellowship was created to help outstanding students study abroad during their undergraduate careers. The Fellowship is open to all students and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will be evaluated on their application quality, academic merit, extracurricular engagement, and financial need. Please note that the Fellowship is not a complete award and is only meant to supplement the overall cost.

Applications for spring break and May travel courses are due by November 1, 2026.

Students will be informed as soon as possible regarding decisions so they can register before the enrollment deadline.

Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/CkM2T3sYev

More Information

Information sessions:

• Post: Wednesday, September 9th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Gold Coast Cinema (Hillwood Commons)
• Brooklyn: Tuesday, September 8th from 12:30-1:45 PM in the Honors College Lounge (Pratt 310)
• Virtual: Wednesday, September 9th from 6:00-7:00 PM (https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215021017723521?p=ZJCg9GtyIHfDfuYMF9)
• The recording will be made available to all students via email!

Questions? Contact the Center Director below:

• Dr. Natasha Naujoks, Europe Center Director — Natasha.Naujoks@liu.edu