The program will begin and end in Athens, Greece, where we will visit historical sites and museums, including the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora of Athens, and the National Archaeological Museum.
We will leave Athens for four days (three nights) to visit the Bronze Age site of Mycenae, the classical theater and sanctuary of Epidaurus, the museum and sanctuary of Zeus at ancient Olympia, the museum and sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, and the archaeological museum of Thebes. From Athens we will also travel to visit the sanctuaries of Artemis at Brauron and of Poseidon at Sounion.
With guidance from the faculty leaders, each student will be assigned a report topic on a monument on site or in a museum to prepare before the travel experience, to be delivered on site while in Greece. Everyone is expected to engage thoughtfully in all report topics or on-site lectures, as well as in the cultural experience of travel in Greece, by asking questions and commenting on the difference between learning about history and monuments from books and doing so in the historical land itself and in the presence of the monuments and remains of ancient civilizations.
Note: Students should expect long days of walking and hiking while in Greece, sometimes in rugged terrain, and be prepared for changing spring weather conditions. Students should discuss with the faculty leader any concerns before committing to the program.
Program Dates: March 7–March 15, 2026. Students must depart the United States on March 6 as the official in-country program start date is March 7, 2026.
Pre-requisites/Eligibility: This program is open to students taking CAMS 15 or CAMS 140 in the spring 2026 semester, as well as students who have completed at least one 3-credit course in CAMS or GREEK prior to the spring 2026 semester.
This program is open to students taking CAMS 15 or CAMS 140 in the spring 2026 semester, as well as students who have completed at least one 3-credit course in CAMS or GREEK prior to the spring 2026 semester.
Students who commit to the program will be manually enrolled in CAMS 199, the 1-credit embedded travel course. Students should review their academic term plans to determine any financial implications, especially if you plan to take over the maximum 19 credits in a semester. Students can anticipate actual charges using the University’s updated Tuition Calculator.
Note: If the embedded course fills to capacity and it is not possible to accept all students into the program, students will be admitted based on the following order of priority.
- 1st priority: Students enrolled in CAMS 15 or CAMS 140 in Spring 2026 semester.
- 2nd priority: Students with CAMS major or minor.
- 3rd priority: Students who are not majors or minors in CAMS but have previously completed at least one 3-credit course in CAMS or GREEK.
- Embedded Program Fee: Maximum of $2,075
- Airfare: Students will purchase their own roundtrip airfare with guidance from the faculty leaders. The faculty leaders will recommend a flight that will allow all students to travel together, and domestic ground transportation to and from the US airport serving the recommended flight will be provided (bus will depart from/return to University Park). Please consult with the program leaders before booking your flight.
- In-Country Costs: Please consult with your faculty leaders about the amount of money to bring to cover the costs of meals and any additional spending money.
Note: The Embedded Program Fee will be billed to participants’ Penn State Bursar accounts in January, and payment will be due January 22.
The Embedded Program Fee for this program includes: accommodations (double or triple room with breakfast included); transportation to/from airport in Greece; transportation and fees related to program activities in Greece; some meals; domestic ground transportation to/from the US airport serving flight recommended by faculty leaders (bus will depart from/return to University Park); emergency and administrative support.
The Embedded Program Fee for this program does NOT include: airfare to/from Greece; most meals, spending money; course/credit tuition or fees; transportation to/from US airport (except as noted above under inclusions); passport and visa fees.
To officially commit to the program, thoroughly read and submit the Official Financial Commitment Form by December 2, 2025.
This form will be posted on this webpage sometime in October. Students must fill out this form in order to be registered for the 1-credit embedded travel course (CAMS 199). Interested students with questions may email Professor Mark Munn (ixm12@psu.edu) or Professor Hannah Smagh (mxm20@psu.edu).
There are several official avenues for embedded program funding within the University. The primary ways are through Liberal Arts Enrichment Funding and Penn State Global, but students can also explore funding opportunities through their academic department or Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring.
Get career ready!
Embedded programs help students to gain key skills that employers are most looking for in college graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Below are 1-2 major competencies students can start to develop by participating in this program – just to start!
Critical Thinking
Students will develop and engage their critical thinking skills in a new environment through the exploration of ancient sites and monuments, evaluation of their role in modern culture, and by giving a report on key monuments during the program.
Career and Self-Development
Develop self-confidence through travel abroad to an unfamiliar culture, where you will negotiate everyday needs in a new environment.
Want to hear more? Meet with a Liberal Arts career coach in the Career Enrichment Network to discuss your experience and identify even more ways that this program can enhance your personal and professional development!
