Today marked the end of our program. Although its bittersweet to go back home, our students had a meaningful and reflective final day.  In the morning they studied before taking their final exams. All their effort and determination throughout the month paid off, and everyone felt pride in their success. The day ended with a celebration where we reminisced about amazing experiences we had together during the past month.

The banquet was a memorable event. We shared a delicious meal at the traditional Greek Taverna and reminisced about our school days, filled with laughter and joy.  We watched a slideshow displaying all the moments from the month. bringing both smiles and some sadness as we reflected on the wonderful times we experienced together. Thank you Anette!

Following our night of dancing (Karter is a natural) we made a final happy memory to hold onto as we departed.  It was a perfect conclusion to a memorable experience. leaving everyone with a feeling of fulfillment and fond memories to treasure.

It was truly a pleasure to be part of this program

Fil Wyatt

Had an amazing day on our final excursion in Crete – Surfing! The entire group joined as some of us hit the waves the others cheered us on and enjoyed the sun and sand!!! Surfing in Crete and experience of a lifetime!

Greetings from Heraklion, Crete!

As we are just past the halfway mark of our program, I’d like to share some highlights and updates with you, and I hope you are following along our instragram @gsagreeceaugust2024.

Some of our Greece’s most renowned historical sites have been a memorable experience for our students.  They’ve experienced thousands of years of history firsthand, learning about ancient buildings, notable figures, significant events, and a diverse culture. The majority of these experiences are a result of independent exploration with friends, which allows them to fully immerse themselves in the local culture. Today we landed in Crete, after a full day of travel from Santorini.  Students did not expect Heraklion to be so cosmopolitan and although quite tired, during our orientation walking tour they started to get very excited about all the shops and cafes they could further explore in the upcoming days.

A supportive and cohesive community has been emphasized by our staff from the very beginning. Having a sense of community is crucial to academic and social success. Being so far from home, we must provide the care and empathy needed to navigate the challenges of being far from loved ones in Canada. I’m pleased that our students have been forming strong bonds and supporting each other both inside and outside the classroom.  Despite their youth, their maturity and camaraderie indicate that they are becoming well-prepared for the independence of post-secondary education that awaits them.

Safety is always a primary concern, and I understand any worries you may have about your child’s well being so far from home. Rest assured,  your children are very aware of the guidelines set by Global Summer Academy; they are reminded each evening before they sign out in their groups of 4, and have been very respectful.  Thank you for your ongoing support. We are just 10 days away from returning home. During this program students will often be eager to reunite with their love ones, but they will also be missing their new friends and the fantastic experiences they will have during this program.

See you soon

Fil Wyatt

Program Manager

This morning, a group of students embarked on a tour to the Volcano and Hot Springs. To kick off the day, we took a cable car ride together to the historic Fira port, where we boarded a vintage pirate ship for a journey to the hot springs. We spent some time leaping off the ship and diving into the warm waters. Following that, we hiked up the volcano. The scenery from the top was truly stunning. The trip was unforgettable!

For those of us who stayed behind, we enjoyed a relaxing day by the pool – catching up on school work and having some down much needed time to just chill and soak up the sun

The day ended with dinner by the sea and free time exploring the town of Fira!

Students took some time to enjoy the island of Syros — exploring beaches, swimming in the sea and bonding with their classmates! Opa! Back to the books tomorrow

After what seemed like a lifetime to wait after the July program departures, Global Summers Academy – Greece August 2024 is off to a terrific start!

Students are feeling a mixture of excitement and some tiredness after a long but extremely smooth departure from Toronto Pearson. Students were eager to connect with each other right from the get-go, and many of them have started what promise to be wonderful friendships.

After a 45-minute bus ride during which students learned some basic Greek words (ευχαριστώ/thank you) and got their first glimpse of the towering figure of the Acropolis, then they settled into their beautiful rooms at the  Hotel Ilissos in the heart of Athens. 

Some of our students got to make some new friends as they met their roommates, and others are reconnecting with friends from home!

To try and stave off the effects of jet lag, students were absolute troopers and went for a guided walking tour of the neighbourhood, led by our local coordinator, Chara. They experienced the wondrous beauty and bustle of Monastiraki square, and were treated to their first authentic Greek lunch of gyros and Greek salads and then returning to the hotel.

A buzz of excitement is in the air as students venture their first steps out into the Grecian paradise that we find ourselves in!

Make sure to follow our program’s Instagram page for regular updates, videos, and further photographs!
@gsagreeceaugust2024

-Your Greece August 2024 staff team!

Welcome to our Grade 11 & 12 Greece August Photo Blog! Make sure to check out our photos once our travels have begun!