Welcome to the DIRECT Greece Session 1 Accepted Student Information page. Navigate the tabs below for everything you need to know before your epic adventure in Greece.
To navigate back to your portal for payments, forms and due dates, click the My Account button above.
BEFORE you go to your account, be sure you LOGIN by clicking the LOGIN button at the top right of your screen.
Stay Informed
Here are the Top 3 things you need to be working on to prepare for your summer abroad.
- Roommates and Program Groups
- Check your Flight Arrival Info
- Click here for your Flight Arrival Info
- This determines how you will get to your accommodation
- Complete Pre-program Preparations
- Join the 2024 DIRECT Greece Session 1 GroupMe here!
- When you join, post an introduction with your name, school and hometown. If you’re looking for a flight buddy and/or a roommate, share that as well so you can connect with others looking for the same.
- Please note: If you have specific questions about your program, please send them to LeadAbroad staff directly at info@LeadAbroad.com. Program questions posted in GroupMe may get missed by staff members.
- Follow us on Instagram and search the tags #LeadAbroadLife and @LeadAbroad.
Preparing to Travel
Important dates for DIRECT Greece Session 1:
- Saturday, May 11: Students depart U.S. for Athens
- Sunday, May 12: Students arrive in Athens; program begins
- Thursday, May 23: Program ends; students depart Santorini on one-way ticket to Athens to connect to international flight home
➡️ Arrival Window: May 12 from 9:00-11:00am
Group shuttle to the hotel after arrival:
- All students arriving on flights arriving between 9:00-11:00am will be on the group shuttle.
- If you are scheduled to arrive on May 12th before the group lands, you can wait at the airport for the group shuttle or pay for your own transfer to the hotel. LeadAbroad will assist you in arranging this transportation with LeadAbroad’s trusted transportation partner.
Group shuttle to the airport for departure back to U.S.:
- The Greece program ends in Santorini. Students will need to book a one-way flight from Santorini back to Athens to connect with their international flight home. We will arrive at the airport in time for the 7:20am flight to Athens. See the flight section for more details.
Recommended Itinerary:
LeadAbroad recommends aligning your flights on one of the following itineraries. Whether you live near Atlanta, Dallas or Chicago and can drive to the airport, or if you need to connect from your hometown airport, we strongly suggest flying on our recommended flight. For more information about how LeadAbroad selects our recommended flights, please click here.
➡️ Step 1: Book Your US-Athens Roundtrip Ticket
Depart: May 11, 2024 (arrives next day)
Return: May 23, 2024
Recommended: Atlanta (ATL) on Delta Air Lines
| Travel Dates | Route | Airline & Flight # | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| May 11 | ATL-ATH | DL 222 | 4:55pm | 10:40am (May 12) |
| May 23 | ATH-ATL | DL 223 | 12:55pm | 5:45pm (May 23) |
Recommended: Dallas (DFW) on United
| Travel Dates | Route | Airline & Flight # | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| May 11 | DFW-EWR-ATH | Flight 1: (DFW-IAD) UA 6220 | 11:52am | 4:01pm |
| Flight 2: (IAD-ATH) UA 982 | 5:10pm | 9:55am (May 12) | ||
| May 23 | ATH-EWR-DFW | Flight 1: (ATH-IAD) UA 983 | 11:45pm | 3:45pm |
| Flight 2: (IAD-DFW) UA 2116 | 5:20pm | 7:49pm (May 23) |
Recommended: Chicago (ORD) on American
| Travel Dates | Route | Airline & Flight # | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| May 11 | ORD-ATH | AA 160 | 3:10pm | 9:25am (May 12) |
| May 23 | ATH-ORD | AA 161 | 11:35am | 3:05pm (May 23) |
➡️ Watch this quick video on tips on how to connect with the recommended flight from your hometown.
➡️ We highly encourage booking all flights (including connecting flights, if necessary) for your international flight on the same airline to ensure the flights are all under one reservation (NOT separate tickets). This will reduce the challenges associated with delayed flights, lost luggage and other unforeseen travel issues.
➡️ LeadAbroad will post all flights prior to departure so students can connect with others on their flight.
➡️ Step 2: Book Your Santorini-Athens One-Way Ticket on May 23rd
DIRECT Greece ends in Santorini. In addition to your roundtrip ticket between the U.S. and Athens, you’ll need a one-way connecting flight from Santorini back to Athens on May 23rd to catch your international flight home.
Depart: May 23, 2024
One-way: Santorini (JTR) to Athens (ATH)
| Travel Dates | Route | Airline & Flight # | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| May 23 | JTR-ATH | Aegean A3 347 | 7:15am | 8:00am |
- To book this flight, go to AegeanAir.com
- Enter “JTR” as your departure airport (Santorini airport code) and “ATH” as your destination
- Check the box for a one-way ticket
- Select May 23, 2024, as your travel date and then click Search
- Choose the first flight option departing JTR at 7:15am and choose your booking preference (most students choose “ComfortFlex” because it includes a checked bag)
- Once your fare is selected, scroll down and click Continue. Select the option to “Continue as guest” and complete all required passenger and payment information.
- Book your flight!
- We recommend you land in Athens with a minimum of 4 hours before your international flight home. If you are departing Athens before 12:00pm please take the Aegean flight at 6:05am to give yourself additional time. You will have to get your bags and recheck into your flight in Athens.
Program Specific Orientation
- DIRECT Greece Specific Orientation: Click Here
- Please note: Country-specific policies referenced in orientation may change based on changing government laws, health guidelines, current health environment or LeadAbroad rules designed to keep students safe. It is important to read all of LeadAbroad’s emails thoroughly to stay informed on the most updated policies, procedures and requirements.
You must submit the Final Pre-Departure Form to ensure you have completed the required check-list.
Click here for your Greece Packing List!
The most important thing to remember when packing for Greece is that we will be moving to multiple cities. Pack light and be able to carry all of your luggage up and down stairs (without a trolley). You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage on and off ferries during the program. Don’t worry, you can do laundry on the program, so ONE suitcase and a backpack carry-on will be perfect.
Click here for your Greece Budget Worksheet!
*PRO TIP: Check out our Instagram and view our Greece Highlight to get a better sense of what students typically do and wear.
In-Country Details
Athens Hotels – while in Athens the students and staff will be split between 2 hotels
Both hotels will have twin rooms for students, views of the Acropolis and beautiful courtyards. They are only a 5 minute walk apart and both in the center of the city.
Santorini
In Santorini, students will be in doubles, triples or quad rooms all at the same hotel. New Haroula is based in Fira making it close walking distance to the best restaurants and views on the island.
Click here to see your Roommates and Program Groups
To request a roommate, please submit the Housing Form (available in January) in your online portal by the posted due date. Forms submitted after the due date may not be reviewed. Once roommates are posted, we cannot make any changes. You may submit a Housing Change form by March 15th to request a roommate change.
Click here for your DIRECT Greece Session itinerary!
Please note: this itinerary is subject to change at any point before or during the program. Closer to departure, we will send you instructions on downloading the Trip Plans app so you have real-time access to the schedule.