Transcend Time in Greece & Italy: Western Civilization

It is truly hard to describe just how much I loved this trip and just how much it meant to me. First of all, the staff turned the group international flight from something stressful to something easy and straight forward. As someone who finds flying quite difficult at times, I was so grateful. The first place we went to was Athens. We stayed in an air bnb a short walk away from the ruins of the Greek Agora and the Acropolis of Athens. From there we joined a cruise for a week, where we spent the days hopping between Thessaloniki, Ephesus, Heraklion, Santorini, Milos and Mykonos. We saw beautiful churches, ancient ruins, traditional rug making, and where the Venus statue was originally discovered. We even spent a whole day at the beach on Mykonos. We spent the last week in Naples and Rome seeing Herculaneum, Pompeii, the Vatican, and eating an immense amount of gelato to escape the heat. It truly was an incredible collection of adventures.

The beautiful sights were wonderful, but at the end of the day, the staff were what made this trip wonderful. The classes were interesting and genuinely got me more excited than any class ever has. I came away with a better understanding of ancient Western architecture, art, and culture, as well as just plain history. It taught me that hands-on learning is what really works for me. I learned how to learn.

Going to a foreign country with people you don't know beforehand is nerve-racking. There is no way around it. Derek and the rest of the World Class Programs staff helped me and my family through every single step leading up to the trip. They got to know us, answered every question, and soothed every worry we had. They laid out every step of the program beforehand and walked us through all the safety precautions. By the time the trip was around the corner, I was well prepared. The staff continued to be wonderful on the trip. They hit the perfect balance of keeping things fun and safe while also treating us like young adults.

The gap between high school and college seems very big. I have to go from being entirely reliant on my family and community to being mostly self-sufficient. It's a big jump. What I love about World Class Programs is that they have helped college feel less daunting. Yes, I got to take cool classes and see fun things, but I also learned what it's like to live away from home. I learned how to live with roommates and how to manage my own time responsibly. I learned how and when to ask for help and that asking for help isn't always as scary as it once felt. On top of that, I learned basic skills like how to use a washer and dryer in a different country and how to manage language barriers. World Class Programs gave me an opportunity to work on important life skills and strengthen the ones I already have.

Long story short, this has been the best summer of my life. It's been fun and exciting as well as educational and meaningful. I know this review is cheesy, but I genuinely don’t know how else to describe how wonderful this program has been. If you are looking to see if a gap year program is for you, taking a step towards living on your own, or simply want a fun summer adventure, this trip is really perfect. Thank you so much, Derek and Ellen, and the rest of the World Class Program team.

The Greece and Italy trip was unforgettable! This was my first time studying abroad and my experience was amazing. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable on each of the subjects we studied. If the price seems steep just know that you get what you pay for; all meals are included on the trip including a sweet treats after dinner. The cruise we took on the second week was amazing and felt like a little vacation in between classes. I have nothing but good things to say about this trip let alone World Class Programs as a whole. If you are on the edge of picking this trip, I say do it! I had sooo much fun and made memories that will last a lifetime.

World Class programs is truly an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. The staff care so much about the students and do everything in there power to ensure the students safety and that they have an amazing time. There really is no other program like it. This trip to Greece and Italy has been awesome! We got to see so many amazing things and make great memories that will last the rest of are life. If you are considering joining the program I would highly recommend that you do! You will have a amazing summer!

This was such a wonderful experience!

This was my second year coming back, which I didn’t expect to happen. I was hesitant to go at first because of the cruise portion, which ended up being one of my favorite weeks. The friends you make along with the time and effort the staff put into this trip are so memorable! I had such an amazing time visiting the Greek islands, Turkey, Italy, and the Vatican. The amount of information I was able to learn was astonishing; this was a trip well spent. This was Derek’s first year doing a trip for Greece, and it turned out amazing :)

This was the best experience I could have ask for. This summer before college I wanted to spend doing something meaningful knowing that I would not have tons of opportunities to travel in the near future. This program is perfect for high schoolers or those who have just graduated that want a summer adventure in europe!! visiting 4 countries in 3 weeks is a deal whirlwind but in the best way possible. The best part for me was the week long cruise through the Greek islands especially because it was a great way to see history but also have some downtime to vacation and relax aboard the cruise. The cities we stayed in (Athens, Naples, and Rome) outside of the cruise gave so much history and knowledge of great ancient civilizations in europe. Overall this was the best way to spend my summer and it’s a trip I’ll remember forever !!

For me, this trip was a surprise offer, extended to me as an alumni who had expressed interest in the trip the previous year. As always, Derek and the rest of the staff members were incredibly kind, caring, and supportive throughout the whole of the trip.

While I didn’t experience the whole three week program, needing to return at the end of the second, and thus miss the Italy leg of the trip, it was still a delightful experience. From exploring the ancient sites of Athens to sailing on a cruise ship(!!!) to swimming in the clear blue Mediterranean waters on a relaxing beach day, it was truely a one-of-a-kind adventure.

World Class Programs was such an eye opening experience, and I 100% recommend it to people who are super adventurous, and like a nice mix of immersive and hands on learning and just fun and free time. I’ve learned so much not only about history and architecture, thanks to the interactive experience, but also a lot about culture. You’re able to see more history in one day than some people see in a lifetime. You’re going to be tired but it’s definitely worth it. I met so many great friends during this as well, and you become close super quick.