About DIAS
DIAS International Academic Studies, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the necessary arrangements for students from all over the world to attend accredited summer courses at Greek universities. Students are given the opportunity to feel the timeless legacy of Greece and study the roots of the Western Civilization at its birthplace.

Since 1995, the DIAS Program has been attended by students from numerous universities. The summer courses have thus far been offered by the University Of Crete at Rethymno and the Technical University of Crete at Chania. DIAS is currently in the process of organizing additional programs to be offered by other Greek universities such as: The University of Athens, The Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, The University of Ioannina, The University of Patras, The University of the Aegean, and others.

The DIAS Program is primarily sponsored by the Pancretan University Endowment Fund, the Pancretan Association of America, the World Council of Cretans and the Hellenic American National Council.  Thanks to the generosity  of these parties the cost to students has been kept to a minimum. 

Accredited College Courses
DIAS arranges for students to study at the Greek universities during the summer. The courses offered are taught in English, according to the standards of the American universities, and are fully accepted by them. All courses are strictly academic and a minimum of 45 hours per course is mandatory. Each student can earn 8 to 10 credits (equivalent of 2 courses). Pre-approval of credits from the student’s own university is required. The credits are thus fully secured. 

Please note that DIAS does not offer these courses. All courses are offered by the Greek universities and DIAS simply makes the arrangements for students to attend these courses. Upon completion of the program, the students will receive their credits directly from the university they attended.

Cultural Program
Students of the DIAS Summer Academic Programs in Crete can also attend the DIAS Cultural Program, free of charge (time permitting). Attendees of the Cultural Program can learn Cretan Folk Dances or Cretan musical instrument like the Lyra, Laouto, Mandolino and Violi. As of 2005, the Cultural Program added classes in Painting, Drawing and Sculpture at Chania.

The Cultural Program is offered  in cooperation with the following institutions: Mountakis Odeion School of Cretan Folk Music in Rethymno; the Schools of Cretan Dance Theoharis Xyrouhakis (Chania), Omilos Vrakoforon Kritis (Rethymno), Mavrokostas (Heraklion) and Lykeion Ellinidon (Heraklion); and the Technical University of Crete at Chania. 

Applications and Information

DIAS International Academic Studies
18 West View Dr, Upper Brookville, NY 11771
tel. 516.624.6828   fax: 516.624.9050

Dr. John Nathenas, President
Artemis Filacouris, Organizing Director
E-Mail: dias@diascourses.com