Greece A Philosophy For Travelers

Study classics, language, and theater at the Athens Centre.
Rescue endangered sea turtles on the beaches of Zakynthos.
Teach English to students of all ages in Crete.
Flip to our “Giving Back” sidebar features for even more regional Beyond Tourism opportunities.

As a tourist, you are always a foreigner. Sure, hostel-hopping and sightseeing can be great fun, but connecting with a foreign country through studying, volunteering, or working can extend your travels beyond tourist traps. We don’t like to brag, but this is what’s different about a Let’s Go traveler. Instead of feeling like a stranger in a strange land, you can understand Greece like a local. Instead of asking for directions, you can be the one who gives them (and correctly!). All the while, you get the satisfaction of leaving Greece in better shape than you found it. It’s not wishful thinking—it’s Beyond Tourism.

As a volunteer in Greece, you can roll up your sleeves, cinch down your Captain Planet belt, and get your hands dirty doing anything from saving sea turtles to digging for lost ruins. This chapter is chock-full of ideas to get involved, whether you’re looking to pitch in for a day or run away from home for a whole new life in Greek activism.

Ahh, to study abroad! It’s a student’s dream, and when you find yourself reading Homer where he wrote his epics, it actually makes you feel sorry for those poor tourists who don’t get to do any homework while they’re here. No place can compete with the diversity of Greek’s archaeological sites and the multitude of classical civilizations that exist in bits and pieces throughout the country.

Working abroad is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet locals, and learn to appreciate a non-US currency. Yes, we know you’re on vacation, but we’re not talking about normal desk jobs—we’re talking about leading tour groups through the Vikos Gorge and recruiting club-goers for nightspots on Kos, all in the name of funding another month of globe-trotting. Popular tourist destinations like Athens and many of the Cyclades and Ionian Islands are great places to look for jobs. Still, it is important to note that you must get a work permit to work legally in Greece, and that a recent spike in unemployment may make finding a job much more difficult.

Share Your Experience. Have you had a particularly enjoyable volunteer, study, or work experience that you’d like to share with other travelers? Post it to our website, www.letsgo.com!