UMSI launches study abroad program in Greece

Starting this winter, Bachelor of Science in Information students at UMSI will be able to study data science and machine learning in a city with a 2,300-year history. UMSI’s newest study abroad program in Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, will allow students to explore the ancient and the modern while earning U-M credit. 

"More and more, UMSI students are recognizing study abroad as a high-impact experience with real influence on personal and professional development,” says Adam Freed, global engagement program manager and adjunct lecturer in information at UMSI. 

UMSI partners with universities around the world to enable students to gain a global perspective while making progress toward the BSI degree. The new program in Thessaloniki will be able to host more students than any other partnership. It represents UMSI’s third program in southern Europe (alongside Madrid and Barcelona) and first in the Balkans. All partner universities offer information courses taught in English, and students are able to review a list of UMSI-approved course offerings before they apply.

In Thessaloniki, UMSI has partnered with the American College of Thessaloniki, which offers a wide range of courses in big data, machine learning and database management. “ACT is known for facilitating high-quality academic and cultural experiences,” says Freed. Located on an 85-acre campus between the mountains and the sea, ACT shares UMSI's love of libraries. Its Bissell Library is a leading library not only in Greece but in all of southeast Europe.

While living in Thessaloniki, students will become acquainted with the city’s clear blue waters, tree-lined avenues, neoclassical buildings and ancient ruins. On the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki has long been a hub connecting important trade routes. Now, it is also a hub for tech giants. 

In 2020, Cisco established an international center outside Thessaloniki to enhance innovation and digital skills. In 2022, Pfizer — whose CEO is a Thessaloniki native — opened its Center for Digital Innovation, which is leveraging AI and data science to enhance patient outcomes. In coming years, the Greek government plans to develop innovation districts in Thessaloniki and Athens, complete with academic institutions, startups and incubators. 

“Studying abroad has shown me how different cultures have reacted to the digital age,” says Lindsay Nelson (BSI '24), who studied last year in Madrid, Spain, through UMSI. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to advance my degree in user experience design through an international institution alongside individuals from different backgrounds.”

Many UMSI students will go on to work for or do business with international companies. Study abroad allows students to network, gain critical skills and embrace diverse perspectives on their field.

Applications opened on August 15 and will close on September 22 for students wishing to study abroad in winter 2024.

Read about and apply for study abroad opportunities through UMSI. 

— Abigail McFee, marketing and communications writer